Quick And Easy 5 Ingredient French Bread
I love a good fresh bread. When I was younger my mom would always make bread in her bread machine. As we all got older, we started using more and more freezer breads that just have to thaw, rise, and bake. I love going to bakeries and checking out the breads thinking they look so delicious and wildly difficult. I can't even describe to you how much joy this recipe brought me. I was truly and wildly crazy happy because of how this recipe turned out.
I tend to judge a recipe based on a couple key factors including but not entirely limited to - how difficult, how inconvenient and how tasty. I also like to put on my thinking cap at the end of the process and consider some alternatives that would change any of these factors and add some variety to the recipe.
This recipe takes a total of 5 ingredients and can go from pantry items to served in about an hour. Now if that isn't already enticing enough - you can further customize this bread. I used a round cake pan for baking. This gave it more of an artisan bread feel instead of the classic loaf shape.
Dough can be over kneaded, this should be avoided or the bread will turn out dense and stiff. Only knead until dough is no longer sticky.
Ways you can customize this recipe, include:
- Loaf shape (round pan, loaf pan, bundt pan, make a bunch of tiny loaves or shape on your own and bake a cookie sheet)
- Taste (add raisins and cinnamon, nuts, or whatever you dream up)
- Design (before the dough goes in the oven you can create a custom design on the top)
The bake times on this recipe can range from 18 - 25 minutes depending on the shape of the loaf you decide to make. Thicker loaves will take longer to bake.
Ways to know the bread is ready:
- Tap on the bread- if it makes a hollow sound the bread is probably ready
- The bread has a clear crust and has pulled away from the edges of the pan
- Classic toothpick poke test- clean toothpick means its probably ready
5 Ingredients and 1 hour French bread
- 1.5 cups warm water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1.5 tbsp active dry yeast (2 packets)
- 4.5 cups flour (the amount of flour could be anywhere from 4 cups to 4.5 cups)
Combine warm water, honey, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. There should be bubbles and foaming taking place
Add half the flour to the bowl. Knead and continue adding flour until dough is no longer sticking to your fingers.
Shape dough into loaf, folding seams under the loaf. Spray with a non stick spray and place dough into pan or on baking sheet you plan on using.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Cover dough with a towel and allow it to sit for 20 minutes in warm spot
Once dough has risen, cut slits into the bread (cut at least a 1/4 inch into the bread, these designs will be visible after bread bakes)
Bake for 18 - 25 minutes