Lana's French Breadloaf

Elevate your baking game with Lana's French Breadloaf, a timeless recipe that brings the allure of bakery-fresh French bread right into your kitchen. Made with simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water, and a touch of sugar, this recipe delivers a perfectly golden crust and a soft, airy interior. The optional cornmeal dusting and olive oil create a professional finish, while the steam-infused baking technique ensures an irresistibly crisp crust. With just 20 minutes of prep and a comforting hands-on dough-kneading experience, you'll be enjoying two freshly baked loaves that are ideal for everything from hearty sandwiches to dipping in soups. Perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, this French bread recipe is a must-try for anyone craving artisanal bread at home.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups Warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
• 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Olive oil (optional, for greasing)
• 1 tablespoon Cornmeal (optional, for dusting baking sheet)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.

Step 2

Add salt to the yeast mixture, then gradually stir in the flour, one cup at a time, using a wooden spoon or the dough hook attachment on a stand mixer.

Step 3

Once the dough starts to come together, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for about 6–8 minutes on medium speed.

Step 4

Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 5

Punch down the dough to release the air. Divide it in half and shape each portion into a loaf (either traditional long loaf shapes or round boule shapes).

Step 6

If desired, sprinkle a baking sheet with cornmeal to prevent sticking. Place the loaves on the prepared sheet and cover loosely. Let rise for another 30 minutes.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a baking dish filled with water on the bottom rack of the oven to create steam for a crisp crust.

Step 8

Before baking, use a sharp knife to make 3–4 diagonal slashes across the top of each loaf (about 1/4 inch deep).

Step 9

Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(884.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1883.9

Total Fat 9.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 1.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4732.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 387.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.1g	0%
Total Sugars 13.6g
Protein 52.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 67.8mg	0%
Iron 22.8mg	0%
Potassium 668.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 4.7%

Protein: 11.4%

Carbs: 83.9%