French Bread Recipe

Cooking Directions

• STEP 1.In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• STEP 2.Add salt and flour to the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms.
• STEP 3.Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic.
• STEP 4.Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise until doubled in size.
• STEP 5.Punch down the dough and shape it into a long loaf.
• STEP 6.Place the loaf on a baking sheet and let it rise again until puffy.
• STEP 7.Preheat the oven and bake the bread until golden brown and crusty.
• STEP 8.Remove from the oven, let it cool, and enjoy!

Cooking Tips

• Make sure the water used to dissolve the yeast is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
• You can create a steamy environment in the oven by placing a pan of hot water on the bottom rack while baking the bread. This helps create a crispy crust.
• For a shiny crust, brush the loaf with an egg wash before baking.

Storage and Serving

• Store the cooled bread in a paper bag or bread box to maintain its crustiness.
• To reheat the bread, wrap it in aluminum foil and warm it in a preheated oven.