Homemade Bread
Get yourself a stand mixer! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Beautiful by Drue is like $100 vs KitchenAid which is like $400 🙄 I get it kitchen aid is awesome but it doesn’t need to be OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE.
Ingredients
1. 1tbsp dry active yeast
2. 2 1/2 c warm water
3. 2 tbsp sugar (or honey)
4. 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
5. 1 tsp salt
6. 5-6 cups flour
Directions
1. Combine your yeast, warm water, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let it get frothy & foamy.
2. Add in oil, salt, and half of flour and mix on low for a couple minutes.
3. Gradually add the rest of the flour, mixing 1-2 minutes between each addition.
4. Your dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl. If it’s sticky still add some more flour a little bit at a time.
5. Once it pulls away from the bowl mix it for a couple more minutes. Then stop, take out your dough hook and cover your dough and leave that bitch alone for 15-20 minutes.
6. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and get your baking sheets or loaf pans ready.
7. After 15-20 minutes divide your dough in half and roll out into rectangles on a floured surface.
8. Roll using the longest side and put on your greased cookie sheet seam side down.
9. Let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes-1 hour.
10. Place loaves in oven for about 20-25 minutes till golden brown on the top
11. Brush with some melted butter
12. After it’s cooled for a bit, slice, and enjoy 🖤
Making homemade bread is a rewarding culinary experience that many enjoy. One key aspect is choosing the right ingredients. The type of flour you use can significantly affect the texture and flavor of your bread. For French bread, high-protein bread flour is recommended as it creates a better gluten structure, resulting in a better rise and chewiness. In addition to the basics like yeast, water, and salt, consider adding a touch of vital wheat gluten if you're using all-purpose flour, especially if it's not as strong as bread flour. This can help enhance the texture of your bread. Temperature control is also crucial. Ensure that your water is warm (not hot) to protect the yeast, allowing it to activate properly. If you're looking for a perfectly crusty loaf, steaming your oven during the first few minutes of baking can recreate the conditions of a professional steam oven, leading to a delightful crust. Experimenting with your recipe can also lead to fantastic results. For instance, adding herbs like rosemary or spices like garlic powder to your dough can infuse flavor. You might even consider doing an overnight rise in the fridge, which can deepen the flavor of your bread due to the slow fermentation process. Lastly, don't forget the importance of resting your dough; allowing it to rise gives it that airy, light texture we all love in fresh bread. Enjoy your homemade baking journey with this French bread recipe that you can customize to your taste!