The Easiest French Bread Ever

This was my first experience making fresh bread and I couldn't have picked an easier recipe - you don't need any special equipment to make this at all. My plan is to invest in a really nice dutch oven in the near future so I can dive farther into the homemade bread realm soon, but until then, here's a recipe that is essentially full proof and very versatile!

This bread passed the sandwich test, stood up well as toast with jam, and was even delicious by itself! The outside turns out brown but soft and the inside is spongy. There are barely any crumbs when you cut it! Disclaimer, this bread is not crusty and crispy, but comes out with more of a hoagie roll texture, so it would be fabulous for homemade burger and hot dog buns! This recipe makes three 10-inch loafs.

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Servings: 3x 10-inch loafs

Prep Time: 1 hr 30 min

Total Time: 1 hr 50 min

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Tbsp yeast

• 1/2 cup warm water (not scalding)

• 3 Tbsp sugar

• 2 tsp salt

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

• 2 cups hot water

• 6 1/2 cups flour

• 1 egg

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in the 1/2 cup of warm water. Let sit for 10 minutes.

2. In a separate mixing bowl, combine sugar, salt, oil, hot water, and 3 cups of the flour. I used my stand mixer with the bread-hook attachment. Add yeast mixture to the flour mixture and combine.

3. Add the remaining 3 1/2 cups of flour to the mixture one cup at a time, thoroughly mixing between each addition. Continue to mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Let sit in the bowl for 15 minutes.

4. Separate the dough into 3 equal pieces. On a floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into a 9x13 inch rectangle. Roll each rectangle of dough up like a jelly roll from the short end. Place the loafs on greased baking sheets or silicon mats, seam down.

5. Use a sharp knife to make diagonal cuts on the top of the bread. Beat the egg in a bowl and brush the top of the loafs with the beaten egg.

6. Let the loafs rise, uncovered, for 45 minutes in a warm place.

7. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, turning the baking sheets halfway through cooking. The top will be golden brown!

8. Enjoy!