Bread Machine French Bread
See how quick and easy it is to make this Bread Machine French Bread for a delicious and chewy loaf of homemade french bread at home.
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Bread Machine French Bread
I have to confess that I’ve had my bread machine for over a decade and only recently started using the dough cycle. I’m not sure why it took me so long to do so. I guess I thought it was a hassle not worth messing with, but come to find out it makes things quick and easier for making homemade bread dough. Imagine that.
I enjoy kneading and working the dough with my hands when I have time, but I can see myself using the dough cycle for most of my recipes from now on.
This recipe for homemade french bread (obviously) uses the dough cycle on your bread machine, making it a quick and easy option for any night of the week. The hardest part is remembering to get your ingredients into the machine on time.
How Long Does it Take to Make Bread Machine French Bread?
Just for reference, the dough cycle on my bread machine is 90 minutes, then you will have an hour of rising time and 20 minutes of baking time after that, so it will take you close to 3 hours in total to make this recipe.
May I use All-Purpose Flour in place of Bread Flour?
Yes, you may use all-purpose flour in the place of bread flour in this recipe, but the end result may not be as light and chewy. Bread flour is ideal because it contains more protein which leads to stronger gluten formation creating a lighter loaf of bread.
Can I freeze the leftover bread?
Yes, you may freeze a loaf whole or in slices. Make sure your product has cooled completely, Wrap in plastic wrap and place in labeled gallon-size freezer bag. Will last 3 months in freezer.
Want more bread machine recipes? Here are a few of our favorites:
- Bread Machine Yeast Donuts
- Bread Machine Pizza Dough
- Bread Machine Soft Pretzels
- Bread Machine White Bread
What Should I Serve with French Bread?
- Garlic Chive Parsley Butter
- Instant Pot Ham and Potato Chowder
- Easy 4-Ingredient Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
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How to Make Bread Machine French Bread:
Place the ingredients into your bread machine in the order listed.
Set your machine to the dough cycle and hit start.
Once the dough cycle is complete, open the lid to your machine and lightly punch the dough down.
Next, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface.
Divide the dough into two equal pieces.
Roll each portion into a long loaf, approximately 12 inches long.
Place the loaves onto a greased baking sheet and cover with a clean tea towel.
Place in a draft-free place and allow to rise for about 60 minutes or until doubled in size.
Once your dough has risen, preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
Bake the bread for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Bread Machine French Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup water warmed to 110 degrees
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 ½ cups bread flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
Instructions
- Place the ingredients into your bread machine in the order listed.
- Set your machine to the dough cycle and hit start.
- Once the dough cycle is complete, open the lid to your machine and lightly punch the dough down.
- Next, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface.
- Divide the dough into two equal pieces.
- Roll each portion into a long loaf, approximately 12 inches long.
- Place the loaves onto a greased baking sheet and cover with a clean tea towel.
- Place in a draft-free place and allow to rise for about 60 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Once your dough has risen, preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Bake the bread for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
