quick french bread

Although I have a french bread recipe that I love (see here) sometimes I’m not great about planning ahead, so I was excited to find this quick french bread recipe a few days ago. It wasn’t quite as light and airy as my bread usually is, but it definitely got the job done. And there’s really nothing I love more than fresh bread… mmm!

Quick French Bread
Confections of a Foodie Bride

1 cup warm water
1 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp yeast
2 1/2 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting
1 tsp salt oil, for coating bowl

Put water, sugar, and yeast into the stand mixer bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes until frothy. Add flour in three batches and knead for 5-7 minutes on medium speed with the dough hook (adding additional flour if the dough is too sticky). Cover bowl and let rest for 15 minutes. Sprinkle dough evenly with salt and knead on medium speed for 1 minute to incorporate salt. Transfer to an oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise until dough has doubled. Preheat oven to 425. Place broiler pan in the bottom of the oven. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and punch down. Divide dough in half and shape into loaves. Using a razor blade or sharp knife, slash the top of the loaves every 2-3 inches. The blade should be sharp enough to do all the work for you – pressing down on the dough will only deflate your loaves. Place into the oven. Pour 3/4 cup hot water into the broiler pan and shut the oven door. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.