After using up all my Italian flour, I wanted to explore french bread. I will link the flour that I used for this recipe. I have another recipe I will post on homemade bagels and I used this flour in it as well! Seriously so soft, chewy and light. I highly recommend this and I hope you enjoy this recipe too. Let’s get started on making this yummy bread!

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (9 grams)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (4 grams) (use honey if you prefer)
• 1 ¼ cups warm water (300 grams)
• 1 ¼ teaspoons (8 grams) kosher salt
• 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups French Flour (400 grams) plus extra for dusting

1. Combine yeast, sugar, and warm water in a large mixing bowl (you can also use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook).
2. Let the yeast proof for about 5 minutes, until the mixture is foamy.
3. Add flour to bowl. Mix with a sturdy spatula until the dough starts to come together, then add salt and mix until all ingredients are incorporated. For best results, mix until no dry bits of flour remain. Note: This is a relatively slack (wet) dough, so it may seem a bit shaggy and sticky at this point. Don’t worry – it will become more smooth and elastic as we go!
4. Cover bowl with a clean tea towel and let rise on the counter for about 1 hour, until dough has doubled in size.

SHAPE THE DOUGH & FINAL RISE (30 MIN):

1. When dough has risen, lightly flour a large cutting board.
2. Tip the dough out of the bowl and onto the cutting board. Note: If the dough is sticking to the bowl a little bit, wet your hand with a bit of cold water and gently separate the dough from the bowl to get it all out.
3. Shape the dough into a round loaf: Pull each corner of the dough in towards the center (like you’re folding an envelope) and repeat until the dough feels tight and begins to resist your folds. Flip the dough over and pull it into a round loaf. 
4. Flour a proofing basket or a medium bowl and place your loaf into it seam-side down. Cover with a towel and let rise another 30 minutes or so while you preheat the oven. 

BAKE!

1. Heat the oven to 460 degrees Fahrenheit. When the oven is hot, you’re ready to go!
2. Lay a piece of parchment paper down on your counter or cutting board (optional – it makes transferring the bread easier!)
3. Tip your bread dough gently out of the proofing basket or bowl onto the parchment paper.
4. Place bread into the hot oven
5. Cook bread for 30 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes, check the bread in the oven. The bread should be taller, crusty, and very lightly browned. Continue cooking the bread for 10-15 minutes more until the bread has deepened in color and you have a beautiful brown crust.
7. When bread is done, use oven mitts to pull the bowl out of your oven.
8. Use a long spatula or the corners of your parchment paper to lift the bread out of the bowl and onto a cooling rack. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into it.
9. Slice, slather with butter, and enjoy!

This was so soft and chewy. My bread did not rise a whole lot, but i still tasted great for the first attempt! I used the slices for my toast or sandwiches. Enjoy and don’t forget to leave a comment below.