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–+ servings

Rustic French Bread Loaf

Enjoy homemade Rustic French Bread Loaf with a crispy crust and soft, fluffy interior, perfect for sandwiches or simply with butter.
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Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Course Bread, Snack
Cuisine French
Servings 8 slices
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients

  • 410 grams all-purpose flour For the main dough.
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar Helps activate the yeast.
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt For flavor.
  • 1.5 teaspoons active dry yeast To leaven the bread.
  • 300 milliliters warm water (38 – 46 °C) Must be warm, not hot, to activate yeast.

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Combine the active dry yeast, warm water, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes to activate the yeast.
  • Add half of the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Attach the dough hook to your mixer and knead on medium-low speed. Gradually add the remaining flour while kneading until the dough starts to form and is slightly sticky.
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly floured bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise at room temperature for about 2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
  • Place the dough on a well-floured surface or on parchment paper. Shape it gently into a smooth ball, dust it with some flour, then cover it with a large inverted bowl. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.

Baking

  • Preheat your oven to 220 °C. Place a Dutch oven with its lid inside to heat for 20 minutes.
  • Using a sharp knife, score the top of the dough. Carefully place the dough on parchment into the heated Dutch oven.
  • Bake covered for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the loaf is golden brown. If using a baking sheet, bake for about 35 minutes. Ensure the internal temperature reaches around 99 °C.
  • Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Store the cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the loaf wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSodium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g
Keyword baking bread, bread recipe, French bread, Homemade Bread, rustic bread
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