French Bread#
Makes 1 loaf
Ingredients#
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 1/4 cup warm water
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 cup all-purpose flour
Directions#
Step 1 - Activate Yeast#
Combine yeast, water, and honey. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Step 2 - Mix and First Rise#
Add flour and salt. Loosely cover and let rise for 1 hour.
Step 3 - Shape#
Lightly flour surface. Gently rip out dough (don’t deflate). Fold corners and sides into center, about 8 times until the dough resists. Flip over and shape into a ball form.
Step 4 - Proof#
Lightly flour (rice flour if possible) a proofing or shaping bowl. Place the dough in it seam-side down and cover. While resting, preheat oven to 460°F with Dutch oven inside for about 30 minutes.
Step 5 - Bake#
Add parchment paper to the Dutch oven. Gently and carefully flip dough over onto the paper in the Dutch oven, seam-side up. Optionally, score the bread with a pattern with a lame.
Bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover, spray oven with water, and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
Notes#
- Rice flour works best for dusting the proofing bowl as it prevents sticking better than all-purpose flour.