Steps to Prepare Classic French Bread Recipe

French Country Bread

But i find that all purpose flour works fine instead of bread flour for this french bread recipe.

Recipe Summary French Country Bread

A simple European-style country bread. Just enough whole wheat to give it some flavor but not so much that it's heavy. I use an overnight starter to give it extra flavor.

Ingredients | Classic French Bread Recipe

½ teaspoon active dry yeast

1 cup warm water

1 ½ cups bread flour

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

2 cups warm water

1 cup whole wheat flour

4 ½ cups bread flour, divided

2 teaspoons salt

Directions

The night before baking the bread prepare this starter: In a medium sized non-metal mixing bowl dissolve 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water. Add 1 1/2 cup bread flour and mix well. Cover and let sit overnight at room temperature.

The next day: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the 2 teaspoons yeast in the 2 cups warm water. Add the starter mixture, the whole wheat flour, 3 cups bread flour and the salt; stir until well combined. Add the remaining bread flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and form into loaves. Place the loaves into the prepared pans. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

Info | Classic French Bread Recipe

prep: 30 mins cook: 40 mins additional: 1 day total: 1 day Servings: 30 Yield: 2 9x5-inch loaves

TAG : French Country Bread

Bread, Yeast Bread Recipes, White Bread Recipes,

Images of Classic French Bread Recipe

Classic French Bread Recipe : (rising time is longer than times for traditional breads, which gives the typical french bread texture.) dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.