Best 2 Arts French Bread Not Bread Machine Recipes

Are you craving a perfectly crispy and fluffy French bread that can elevate your dining experience? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through a culinary journey to discover the secrets of creating exceptional French bread from the comfort of your own kitchen. With detailed instructions and helpful tips, we aim to guide you through the process of preparing the perfect dough, shaping it into an elegant baguette, and baking it to golden perfection. Whether you are a seasoned baker or just starting out, this article will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to create delicious French bread that will impress your friends and family.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ART'S FRENCH BREAD (NOT BREAD MACHINE)

Art's French Bread (NOT bread machine) image

A recipe I got from a boss of mine years ago. Use low-fat yogurt if you want a more sour taste. Cooking time includes both time for dough to rise twice and time for baking.

Provided by echo echo

Categories Yeast Breads

Time 2h55m

Yield 3-4 loaves

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups yogurt
1 1/2 cups hot water
2 tablespoons yeast
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons sugar
6 -7 cups king arthur gluten flour or 6 -7 cups similar gluten flour
unsalted butter
white cornmeal
1 egg white
salt

Steps:

Pour the yogurt into a fairly large pan and add the hot water.
Put 1 Tbs yeast on one side of the bowl and 1 Tbs on the other.
Do the same with salt and sugar.
DO NOT STIR this mixture.
Let set until a scummy surface is formed.
Then add 2 cups flour and stir.
Add 2 more cups flour and continue mixing.
Slowly add 2 more cups flour or slightly more until the dough becomes real pasty.
Flour a bread board and knead the dough.
Continue to knead until the dough becomes somewhat stiff.
Place the dough in the bowl and let rise 1 hour, then punch it down and knead it again.
Let it rise again, then cut into 3-4 loaves and form into loaf shape.
Spread a light film of butter on foil or a baking sheet and sprinkle corn meal over the film of butter.
Place the loaves on the foil 1½-2" apart.
Mix egg white with a little water and a pinch of salt and paint the loaves with this mixture.
Score the loaves.
Bake on middle rack of oven at 375° 30-40 minute If the loaf sounds hollow when tapped with your finger, it's done.
3-4 loaves.

THE BEST FRENCH BREAD (BREAD MACHINE)

The Best French Bread (bread Machine) image

This recipe comes from Fleishmann's Yeast and is absolutely the best french bread recipe I have found. The texture is wonderful and it tastes and looks great. I always get rave reviews when I make this.

Provided by Chris from Kansas

Categories Yeast Breads

Time 2h40m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

3/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
cornmeal
vegetable oil
1 large egg white
1 tablespoon water
sesame seeds

Steps:

Add 3/4 cup water, salt, flour, parmesan cheese, garlic powder and yeast to bread machine pan in order suggested by manufacturer.
Select dough/manual cycle.
When cycle is complete, remove dough from machine to a lightly floured surface.
Roll dough into a 15x10 inch rectangle.
Beginning at long end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll.
Pinch seams and ends to seal.
Taper ends by gently rolling back and forth.
Place loaf, seam side down on a greased baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal.
Lightly brush loaf with oil.
Cover and let rise in warm draft-free place until almost double in size, 10 to 15 minutes.
With a sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across the top of loaf.
Lightly beat egg white and 1 tablespoon water; brush some of egg white mixture over top of loaf.
Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.
Brush again with remaining egg white mixture and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Bake 5 to 10 minutes more or until done- bread should sound hollow when tapped.
Remove the bread from the baking sheet and cool on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 138.3, Fat 0.7, SaturatedFat 0.3, Cholesterol 1.1, Sodium 172.9, Carbohydrate 27.3, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 0.2, Protein 4.9

Tips for Making the Best French Bread:

Use the right ingredients: Make sure to use high-quality bread flour, active dry yeast, salt, and water. The quality of your ingredients will greatly affect the taste and texture of your bread.
Follow the recipe carefully: French bread is a simple bread to make, but it's important to follow the recipe carefully. Don't skip any steps or substitute ingredients, as this could result in a failed loaf of bread.
Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough is an important step in the bread-making process. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic. This will help to develop the gluten in the flour, which will give your bread a chewy texture.
Let the dough rise in a warm place: The dough needs to rise in a warm place in order to double in size. This will usually take about 1 hour. If you don't let the dough rise long enough, it will be dense and heavy.
Bake the bread at a high temperature: French bread should be baked at a high temperature in order to get a crispy crust. The ideal baking temperature is 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the bread cool before slicing: Once the bread is baked, let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will help to prevent the bread from tearing.

Conclusion:

Making French bread at home is a rewarding experience. With a little practice, you can make a loaf of bread that is just as good as, if not better than, what you would find at a bakery. So next time you're in the mood for some fresh, delicious bread, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed.