I have made about a kazillion loaves of french bread…this is the best recipe that I have ever used!
2 LOAVES
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
¼ cup warm water
1 1/4 cups warm water
Soften yeast in warm water for 10 minutes
Place flour and salt in bowl of stand mixer…stir to combine
Add softened yeast mixture and warm water
Stir to blend…increase speed and knead for 5 minutes til smooth
Place dough in a bowl covered with cling wrap til doubled in volume
Punch down and shape into loaves…allow to raise again
Bake in a preheated oven 400*F…check at 25 minutes
Using a water filled spray bottle…spritz oven every 10 minutes
Loaves are done when golden and sound hollow when tapped on bottom
