The Softest, Fluffiest French Bread You’ll Ever Make
This homemade French bread is incredibly soft, airy, and has a beautifully golden crust. With simple ingredients and an easy process, you can bake fresh bread that’s perfect for sandwiches, dipping in soups, or enjoying with butter. Say goodbye to store-bought loaves—once you try this, you won’t go back!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 2 loaves (about 10-12 slices per loaf) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Make the Dough: Stir in flour, salt, and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms, then knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Shape the Loaves: Punch down the dough and divide it into two loaves. Roll each into a log and place them on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them rise again for 30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaves for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Final Touch: For extra softness, brush the tops with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven.
Notes
- Make sure your yeast is fresh for the best rise.
- Don’t rush the rising process—this ensures the fluffiest texture.
- For a shinier crust, brush with an egg wash before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg