You can use a bread stone, greased cookie sheet, or a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
Course Bread
Cuisine French
Keyword Classic French Bread recipe, French bread, French bread recipe, How to make French bread
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Rest Time 25 minutesminutes
Servings 12
Ingredients
¼cupwarm water110 - 115 degrees F
1packet of Red Star yeast
1teaspoonsugar
4cupsunbleached flour or all-purpose flour
1tablespoonsugar
1teaspoonsea salt
1cup+ 2 tablespoons warm water
1egg white + 1 tablespoon warm water
Instructions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Put the ¼ cup warm water in a small bowl, making sure that the temperature is between 110 degrees F and 115 degrees F. Add yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Stir gently and let stand for about five minutes. When the yeast is bubbly, it is ready.
In a large mixing bowl, add flour, remaining sugar, and remaining water.
Add the yeast and mix well to blend all ingredients thoroughly.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board. Knead for 5 - 7 minutes or until dough is smooth and springs back when lightly pressed.
Cover the dough and let it rise until it doubles in size, about 20 - 30 minutes.
Punch down the dough and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two pieces for two loaves or just make one loaf.
Roll out the dough so that it is thin and flat.
Roll the dough up long-ways, like you would roll a jelly roll. Turn the ends under and place the loaf, seam side down, on a bread stone or cookie sheet.
Make three shallow, diagonal slits into the loaf.
Combine the egg white and 1 tablespoon of water. Gently brush the mixture over the loaf. Alternatively, you can brush olive oil and sprinkle coarse salt over the top.
In an oven-safe pan, bring a couple of cups of water to a boil. Place the pan of hot water on the lower oven rack.
Place the loaf on the rack above the water.
Turn off the oven, allowing the bread to rise and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the water and discard but leave the bread in the oven.
With the bread still in the oven, turn it on and set it for 435 degrees F.
Bake the bread for 8 to 10 minutes (do not subtract time for preheating).
If the bread is not done after 10 minutes, leave it in the oven, reduce the heat to 350 degrees, and allow it to bake for another 5 minutes or until done.