Homemade French Bread

Large loaf French Bread topped with sesame seeds

This recipe is easy to make since there are only 6 simple ingredients. (If you add sesame seeds on top, there are 7 ingredients!)

French Bread

makes 1 large loaf

1 pkg active dry yeast (2 1/2 tsp if you use bulk like me)

1/4 cup warm water

1 Tbs granulated sugar

1 1/4 cups water

2 1/2 tsp Kosher salt

3 1/2 - 4 cups all purpose flour

3 Tbs toasted sesame seeds (I buy mine already toasted but you can toast your own by heating seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until golden)

In a large bowl or Bosch machine, combine the yeast with 1/4 cup warm water and sugar. Let this sit for 10 minutes. Add in the 1 1/4 cup water, salt and 1 cup of the flour. Gradually add the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time until workable.  Transfer the dough to a large, oiled bowl (I use olive oil). Turn the dough over so all sides are coated lightly with the oil. Cover with a cloth and let rise 1 1/2 hours. 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Transfer dough onto lightly floured surface; punch down the dough and knead out air bubbles. Form into large loaf or two smaller ones if desired. Place loaf on baking sheet (I cover my baking sheet with parchment paper). Using a sharp knife, make 5 slashes diagonally across top of loaf (see photo above). Let loaf rise, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Bake for 18-25 minutes, depending on your oven. Test with skewer or knife; when it comes out clean, it's done! Let cool on rack about 10 minutes before serving. 

2 small loaves French Bread