Easily Make French Bread Without a Bread Machine

Who doesn't appreciate the taste and smell of a freshly made hot loaf of bread?

With the following recipe, you will be able to make 2 French breads very easily without using a bread machine.

You'll see, you'll never want to buy store-bought bread again!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (65 ml) of warm water (at 105-115 °F or 40-46 °C)
• 1 packet of active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of sugar
• 3 1/2 - 4 cups (700-800 g) of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of salt
• 1 cup (250 ml) and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of warm water
• 1 egg white and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water.

Preparation

1. Mix the warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a bowl.

2. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is bubbly.

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3. Then add 1 tablespoon of sugar, salt and water. Mix well.

4. Add flour. Mix well and knead for 5 minutes (with a stand mixer or with hands) or until the dough is smooth.

5. Let rise until the dough doubles in size (about 15-20 minutes) by placing it in a bowl and covering the bowl with a clean cloth.

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6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough with a rolling pin. (The dough can be divided into two pieces for two smaller loaves if desired.)

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7. Roll the dough to the desired shape and tuck the ends under the roll of dough. 

8. Place the dough roll on a greased cookie sheet. Cut 3 diagonal slits in each loaf (about 1/4 inch deep).

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9. Mix the egg white and 1 tablespoon of water, then gently brush the loaves.

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10. Preheat the oven to 300 °F (150 °C).

11. Boil a pot of water and then pour the water into a shallow dish.

12. Turn off the oven.

13. Then, place the water dish on the lower rack of the oven and the bread on the rack above the pot of water. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size (about 20 minutes).

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14. Remove the pot of water.

15. Leave the bread in the oven and heat the oven to 425 °F (220 °C). Bake the bread for 10 minutes (including preheat time)

16. Lower the oven to 375 °F (190 °C) after ten minutes and continue baking 6-8 more minutes or until the bread is golden.