Best 7 French Bread Loaf Recipes

French bread, with its crisp golden crust and airy interior, is a staple of French cuisine and a beloved bread worldwide. Whether you're a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, crafting the perfect french bread loaf at home can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. In this article, we will guide you through the steps and provide you with key tips to achieve a delicious and authentic french bread loaf that will impress your family and friends.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

HAMBURGER FRENCH BREAD LOAF

Hamburger French Bread Loaf image

you can make this how ever you like, with beef,turkey, and and kind of cheese you choose, you can even add, bacon, what ever your heart desires, Just thought that I would post the original recipe(which is posted on the left), that I have had passed down to me by my Grandmother, and you can add extra cheese at the end of the...

Provided by Elizabeth Lancaster

Categories Burgers

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb raw ground beef or turkey
1/2 c club crackers, crushed
1 large egg
2/3 c evaporated milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp mustard
1/2 c onion chopped
1 large french bread loaf
1 c shredded cheddar cheese or any other cheese you prefer

Steps:

1. Pre-Heat oven to *350. Cut french bread into half, (length wise) put on cookie sheet.
2. Mix together all ingredients and spread onto french bread. Put tinfoil around the edges of the bread leaving the meat exposed, cook for 45 min at *350.
3. *****NOTE***** At the last 5-7 minutes,If you want a cheesier topping, place more cheese on top of your loaf, and cook till melted.

CLASSIC FRENCH BREAD - 1.5 LB LOAF

Classic French Bread - 1.5 Lb Loaf image

This recipe came with an old Oster Bread Machine. Even though the bread machine is long gone, I still use this recipe in whatever bread machine I have at the time. Cook times vary depending upon your machine and crust color desired.

Provided by Kerena

Categories Yeast Breads

Time 4h20m

Yield 1 loaf, 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 cup water
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons butter, softened
3 1/4 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 3/4 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Steps:

Place all ingredients into your bread pan per your manufacturers instructions. Mine says to do wet ingredients first so I follow the order they are listed above.
Select French Bread setting.
Select desired crust color.
If you have the option select 1.5 lb loaf.
Press start.

SMALL LOAF FRENCH BREAD

Small Loaf French Bread image

This is one of the best breads I have made. It is easy and the taste is wonderful.They are something like the Pillsbury regrigerated loaf bread.

Provided by Rhonda Wheeler

Categories Other Breads

Time 2h5m

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 pkg active dry yeast
2 Tbsp oil
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 c flour
1 tablespoon of honey or sugar if you want it sweeter(optional
1 c warm water
1/4 tsp garlic(optional)

Steps:

1. Combine the yeast and 1 cup of warm water (105-115 degrees) in large bowl,stirring until dissolved.
2. Mix in oil,garlic,and salt
3. Add 2 cups flour and stir till smooth.Stir in enough additional flour untill the dough forms a ball.
4. Knead dough on floured surface and add more flour if too sticky.Knead till smooth and elastic.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl and cover in a warm place to rise until its double in size,about 1 hour.
6. Punch down dough and divide into two loaves.Shape each dough into a loaf about 9 inches long.
7. Place loaves on greased baking sheet.Make three 1/2 diagonal cuts on the top.
8. Loosely cover with plastice wrap and let dough rise 20-30 minutes.
9. Bake at 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes till golden brown.

KITCHEN AID FRENCH BREAD LOAF

Kitchen Aid French Bread Loaf image

I made this recipe for the first time from a recipe in my Kitchen Aid cookbook of Best Loved Kitchen Aid Recipes. The recipe makes 2 loaves, but I made the second loaf into little mini loaves. I was so proud of my acheivement, it turned out just like the ones in the bakery. It was soft and chewy on the inside, and had a nice...

Provided by Rose Mary Mogan

Categories Savory Breads

Time 2h40m

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

2 pkg active dry yeast
2 1/2 c warm water (105 degrees f-115 degrees f.)
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp butter, melted
7 c all purpose flour
2 Tbsp corn meal
1 large egg white
1 Tbsp cold water

Steps:

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed bowl of electric stand mixer with dough hook attachment. Add salt butter and flour. Turn to low and mix until blended about 1 minute. Knead on low about 2 minutes longer. Dough will be sticky.
2. Place dough in greased bowl, turn to grease top. Cover and let rise in warm place, free from draft, about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
3. Punch dough down and divide in half. Roll each half into 12 X 15 rectangle. Roll tightly, from longest side, tapering ends if desired. Place loaves on greased baking sheets that have been dusted with corn meal. Cover & let rise in warm place free from draft, about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
4. With a sharp knife make 4 diagonal cuts on top of each loaf. Bake at 450 degrees F. for 25 minutes. Remove from oven. Beat egg white and water together with a fork, brush each loaf with egg mixture. Return to oven and bake 5 minutes longer. Remove from baking sheets immediately and cool on wire racks.

FRENCH BREAD LOAF - BREAD MACHINE

French Bread Loaf - Bread Machine image

Taste of Home Feb 2010. Recipe prep time does not include ABM dough cycle or additional time to rise. Makes a nice small loaf perfect for an pasta dinner.

Provided by invictus

Categories Yeast Breads

Time 20m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

1 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon cornmeal

Steps:

Add all ingredients except cornmeal to your bread machine in the order listed. Use dough cycle only.
Remove dough from bread machine and shape into loaf. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Let rise until double, about 1 hour.
Bake at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 135, Fat 0.5, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 293.2, Carbohydrate 27.9, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 0.4, Protein 4.3

FRENCH LOAF IN BREAD MACHINE (SALLYE)

FRENCH LOAF IN BREAD MACHINE (SALLYE) image

Yes, Virginia, you can make french bread in your bread machine. This is an excellent easy recipe for authentic french bread modified for the bread machine. And it tastes yummy.

Provided by sallye bates

Categories Other Breads

Time 3h40m

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

PLACE INGREDIENTS IN BREADMACHINE IN ORDER LISTED
1-1/4 c lukewarm water (105º f max)
3 c white bread flour
1-1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1-1/2 tsp salt
1 pkg rapid rise yeast (1/4 oz) or 1-1/2 tsp.

Steps:

1. IMPORTANT; PLACE INGREDIENTS IN BREAD MACHINE IN THE EXACT ORDER LISTED. Run tap until water is lukewarm (105º maximum)
2. Pour water gently into bread machine baking pan Carefully add flour, making sure flour completely covers liquid Make a small depression in middle of flour and add sugar, salt and yeast. Set machine to basic, white, or french cycles with medium crust. Turn machine on and forget until done. Turn out on cooling rack or serving platter. Do not wrap until completely cool. Enjoy.
3. MEASUREMENTS FOR 2# LOAF: 1-1/2 cup water 4 cups flour 2-1/2 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoon salt Yeast amount does not change.

FRENCH BREAD FREEZER PIZZA LOAF

French Bread Freezer Pizza Loaf image

This is one of the "orphan recipes" I came across on here. However, my mom used to make these when I was a kid. She'd buy a loaf of french bread, slice horizontally along the side, add the meat mixture and freeze it. With 5 kids in the house during the summer, she'd make a few of these for us to make while she'd be at work. Since...

Provided by Teresa Jacobson

Categories Other Appetizers

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 lb sausage
2 c cheese (your choice of cheese-shredded, or diced)
1/2 tsp oregano
2 Tbsp ketchup
1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 loaf french or italian bread, sliced horizontally

Steps:

1. Brown meat, then add the other ingredients.
2. Spoon filling into loaf that has been sliced; if freezing, wrap in foil and put in plastic bag of later use.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. If frozen, bake for about 20 min or until bread is crispy and filling is heated through.
4. **** This can be altered to use with pepperoni, veggies, and any type of cheese including velveta. My Dad hated velveta so my mom never made it that way. If adding other items, reduce meat to 1/2 lb. of each. **** In my picture, I sliced bread on top because of how the loaf was baked. It was presplit on top and would not have worked with split on side.

Tips:

Use a French bread loaf pan measuring 9x5 inches to ensure the correct size and shape for your bread.
Ensure your yeast is fresh and active. If using active dry yeast, proof it in warm water with a pinch of sugar before adding to the dough.
For a crispy crust, brush the top of the loaf with an egg wash before baking.
Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing and serving. This will help prevent the bread from tearing.
Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Conclusion:

With careful attention to detail and following these tips, you can create a delicious and authentic French bread loaf at home. Enjoy it fresh from the oven with butter, or use it to make sandwiches, croutons, or other culinary delights. Experiment with different recipes and techniques to find the perfect French bread loaf that suits your taste and preferences. Savor the unique flavor and texture of this classic bread, and share it with friends and family to create memorable dining experiences.