Community Pick
French Bread ("Rapid Rise")
"This recipe makes a rather good French loaf. Since it uses "rapid rise" yeast, it is quicker to make because it only needs 1 rise instead of 2. Prep time includes 40 minute rising time."
photo by Cuppatea7210
- Ready In:
- 1hr 25mins
- Ingredients:
- 8
- Yields:
-
2 Loaves
ingredients
- 5 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 packages fast rising yeast
- 2 cups hot water (125°-130°F)
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- cornmeal
directions
- Set aside 1 cup of flour.
- In a large bowl, mix remaining flour, sugar, salt and yeast.
- Stir hot water into dry mixture.
- Mix in enough reserved flour to make a soft dough.
- On lightly floured surface, knead dough until smooth and elastic (about 8-10 minutes).
- Cover dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Divide dough in half.
- Roll half of dough into a 10x15 inch rectangle.
- Roll dough tightly (like a jelly roll), starting from the long side, and tapering the ends.
- Pinch ends and seam to seal.
- Place dough seam side down on greased baking sheet which has been sprinkled with cornmeal.
- Repeat with remaining half of dough.
- Cover dough and let rise in a warm draft-free place until doubled in size (about 35-40 minutes).
- With a sharp knife or razor blade, make 4 diagonal cuts on the top of each loaf.
- Combine egg white and 1 Tablespoon water, brush on loaves.
- Bake in preheated 425°F oven for 25-30 minutes or until done.
- Remove from baking sheets and cool on wire racks.
- Note: If you want to make baguettes instead of loaves, you can roll the dough into a rope (by hand) to get the longer thinner shape.
Questions & Replies
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The recipe says to knead 8-10 minutes by hand, but how long would that be in a KA mixer using the dough hook? Thanks.
Reviews
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This recipe couldn't be easier---I actually think I know what I'm doing when I make it---lol. I've had good and not-so-good results in my bread-baking efforts over the years, so this was such a nice surprise. The family loved it, and my DH was a little disappointed when he saw that I froze the second loaf. I told him I was saving it for next week. The only "effort" needed in this recipe is the 8-10 minutes of kneading. I could have used the dough hook on my mixer, but I figured I could use the exercise (lol), so I kneaded the dough by hand. This recipe is now my first choice for homemade bread. Thanks! -
Super easy to make! Turned out perfectly! After rolling it out, I sprinkled some fresh ground herbs on the bread before rolling it up jelly-roll style. Will definately make again! -
Made a herb and cheese loaf and a plain. I can't have as I'm celaic but made these for my kids and boy friend. Super easy, smells amazing, looks great! Hope they love them. -
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Such an easy delicious bread! No more bread machine for me! -
This was my first attempt at making bread and I wasn’t very hopeful. However, I followed this recipe to a tee and they came out perfect! Crisp and crunch on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside!
see 39 more reviews
Tweaks
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I used some wheat germ in place of 1/2 cup flour. Great bread.
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
Dee514
United States
I'm married (46 years to the same lucky guy) and have 2 kids, a daughter 41, a son 36, and 2 beautiful grand daughters (8 yrs and 6 yrs). I have always enjoyed cooking and baking, especially breads :) One of my favorite quotes:?? Computers are like air conditioners; they stop working when you open Windows.
