Everyone loves a loaf of fresh homemade french bread. This recipe will result in a crispy brown crust while the inside remains soft and chewy. You can make your own french bread loaf right at home.
French bread is the perfect side to many dinners and a favorite comfort food for many. I personally love any kind of homemade bread.
I began making my own homemade breads over 5 years ago. The transition happened when I started making changes to my diet and began serving my family real food meals.
Breads bought from the store have so many extra ingredients that did not fit in with my new clean eating lifestyle.
Making bread from home using my bread machine has become a weekly habit. I use simple ingredients to make this super yummy homemade french bread recipe.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 1 & 1/2 tsp 100% pure maple syrup
- 1 & 1/2 tsp melted unsalted butter
- 1 & 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 3 cups Bob’s Red Mill Unbleached White All Purpose Baking Flour ( or bread flour)
- 1 tsp dry active yeast
Directions
Place all ingredients in bread machine in order listed by manufacturer. My bread machine has me place wet ingredients in first, then dry. Start the dough cycle.
When dough cycle is complete remove dough and separate out into 2 equal balls of dough.
Watch a video tutorial HERE on how to roll the perfect french bread loaf!
Next, place dough on a lightly floured surface or stoneware pan. Using a rolling pin roll out dough into a rectangle. You will want to roll it to about 16 inches long and 6 inches wide (see photo).
Once you have your rectangle shape, start from one side of the dough and roll into a loaf.
Turn ends of loaf under on each side.
Using a sharp knife or razor blade cut diagonal slits about 2 inches apart across the top of each loaf. ( I do this before letting the bread rise as I’m afraid of deflating my loaves!)
Place on stoneware pan or baking pan and cover with plastic wrap or tea towel.
Related: Bread Machine Pizza Dough Recipe
Let rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Place loaves in a preheated 400 degree oven and bake for 20 minutes. Bake an additional 5 minutes for a more golden crust.
Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
You now have 2 mouthwatering loaves of homemade french bread to serve with dinner that are healthy and delicious!
Homemade French Bread For The Bread Machine
This french bread recipe will result in a crispy brown crust while the inside remains soft and chewy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 & 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 & 1/2 tsp butter melted
- 1 & 1/2 tsp 100% pure maple syrup
- 3 cups Bobs Red Mill Unbleached All Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp dry active yeast
Instructions
-
Place all ingredients in bread machine in order listed by manufacturer. (My bread machine has me place wet ingredients in first, then dry.)
-
Start the dough cycle.
-
When dough cycle is complete remove dough and separate out into 2 equal balls of dough.
-
Place dough on a lightly floured surface or stoneware pan.
-
Roll out dough into a rectangle using a rolling pin. You will want to roll it to about 16 inches long and 6 inches wide.
-
Once you have your rectangle shape, start from one side of the dough and roll into a loaf.
-
Turn ends of loaf under on each side.
-
Using a sharp knife or razor blade cut diagonal slits about 2 inches apart across the top of each loaf.
-
Place loaves on stoneware pan or baking pan and cover with plastic wrap or tea towel.
-
Let rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
-
Place loaves in a preheated 400 degree oven and bake for 20 minutes. Bake an additional 5 minutes for a more golden crust.
-
Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
Recipe Notes
I recommend using Bobs Red Mill Unbleached All Purpose Flour for best results.
If you enjoyed this bread machine recipe check out my sandwich bread recipe here:
My husband bought me a bread machine a year ago. i finally gave it a whirl and made this bread. My husband absolutely loved it! I wish that I would have tried it sooner. This is a simple and easy recipe to follow. My family does not eat sugar but instead I substitute with honey. I made this recipe with honey rather than maple syrup (mainly because it’s what I had on hand) and it was delicious. This is my go to recipe for bread. I do add an egg yolk glaze right before baking it. It is delicious! Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe!
Cynthia, I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the bread recipe! I have not tried making it with honey but I’m going to try that next time I make it.
I’m new at making bread and using a bread machine. This bread is delicious. It has a fine, moist texture and perfect consistency. This is a great tasting bread. Thanks for recipe. I will try for sure.
Hope you enjoy it!
I made this recipe last night. Followed the recipe exactly. They came out perfect. Thank you so much! I am making a veggie soup and another 2 loaves today to take to my in laws. They are going to love it.
Mary Ann, So glad that your loaves turned out well. It’s a wonderful french bread to share with others!
This bread is absolutely the best I have ever made in my bread machine! I just discovered it and have already made it twice this week! Hubby loves it it too! Thank you!
Cindi, so glad you and your hubby have enjoyed the French bread!
The price of bread is crazy! So I found your recipe and gave it a go. Best. Ever! I’ll be making more and freezing,
Now I am going to try your sandwich bread recipes. I’m hoping I can just use the bread machine for the dough and bake loaves in oven.
Hi Kathie! You can definitely make the dough in your bread machine and then bake in a loaf pan. Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Can this be made without the machine? I’m assuming I could just combine ingredients and hand/mixer knead for 10 minutes… how long is the “dough” process in your machine?
Yes you could use a stand mixer with the dough hook. Let rise for 1 hour before rolling out.