Artisan Rustic French Bread
Elevate your culinary skills with this stellar Artisan Rustic French Bread recipe that guarantees to impress and satisfy. With its delectable golden crust, airy interior, and that mouthwatering aroma wafting through your kitchen, this bread is a showstopper. Gone are the days of store-bought loaves! Imagine serving warm, homemade French bread to your friends and family; the compliments will flow like the butter that melts onto each slice. With easy-to-follow instructions designed for a bread machine, create a loaf that’s not just a side dish, but a centerpiece of any meal. This recipe also allows for delightful variations that can transform your bread into cheesy, herbed, or even stuffed delights. Cooking time includes all necessary rising periods as well!
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
warm water
1 1/4 cups (Warm to about 110°F)
sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
bread flour
3 1/2 cups (none)
yeast
1 tablespoon (Active dry yeast)
water
2 tablespoons (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
egg
2 (one for glaze, one for dough)
milk
1 tablespoon (Beaten with egg for glaze)
Instructions
1
Add the warm water, sugar, and yeast to the bread machine and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until frothy.
2
Add the bread flour, salt, and one egg to the yeast mixture according to your bread machine's instructions, placing liquids first and solids on top.
3
Select the 'Dough' or 'Manual' setting on your machine and start the cycle.
4
Once the dough cycle is complete, gently remove the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface.
5
Roll the dough into a large rectangle (approximately 12x18 inches), starting from the longer end, roll it up tightly, ensuring all seams are pressed and tucking the ends underneath to form a loaf shape.
6
Transfer the rolled loaf to a greased baking sheet or stone. Cover it and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
7
About 10 minutes before the dough has finished rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
8
In a small bowl, prepare the glaze by mixing the beaten egg and milk. Brush this mixture over the top of the loaf generously.
9
Using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, snip three diagonal slashes across the top of the loaf to allow for expansion (optional but adds a nice touch).
10
Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the top is a deep golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
11
For variations, sprinkle cheese, brush melted butter with herbs, or add fillings like marinara sauce while rolling for a delicious twist. Consider also making mini-loaves or braiding for a unique presentation.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Artisan Rustic French Bread?
Artisan Rustic French Bread is a homemade bread known for its golden crust, airy interior, and delicious aroma, often made using a bread machine for convenience.
How long does it take to make this recipe?
The process includes a 5-minute yeast activation, a standard bread machine dough cycle, a 1-hour rising period, and 20-25 minutes of baking time.
What type of flour is best for this bread?
Bread flour is recommended for this recipe, as it provides the necessary protein content for a strong dough structure.
What setting should I use on my bread machine?
You should use the 'Dough' or 'Manual' setting on your bread machine to prepare the dough for shaping and baking in a conventional oven.
How many servings does one loaf provide?
One loaf of this Artisan Rustic French Bread yields approximately 10 servings.
What is the purpose of adding sugar to the yeast?
Sugar acts as food for the yeast, helping it to activate and become frothy during the initial 5-minute resting period.
How warm should the water be for the yeast?
The water should be warmed to approximately 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
Two eggs are needed: one to be mixed into the dough and one to be used for the egg wash glaze.
How do I shape the bread loaf?
Roll the dough into a 12x18 inch rectangle, then roll it up tightly from the long end, tucking the ends underneath to form a loaf.
How long should the dough rise after shaping?
After shaping the loaf, let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) before baking the bread.
What is in the glaze used for the crust?
The glaze is a mixture of one beaten egg and one tablespoon of milk, which is brushed over the loaf before baking.
Why should I slash the top of the bread?
Snipping diagonal slashes across the top allows the bread to expand evenly in the oven and adds a professional artisan appearance.
How long should I bake the French bread?
Bake the loaf for 20-25 minutes until the top is deep golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Can I add cheese to this bread?
Yes, you can sprinkle cheese over the dough or include it as a filling during the rolling process for a cheesy variation.
Can I make an herbed version of this bread?
Yes, you can brush the loaf with melted butter and herbs or mix herbs into the dough for added flavor.
Is it possible to make stuffed French bread?
Yes, you can add fillings like marinara sauce or other savory ingredients while rolling the dough to create a stuffed loaf.
Can I make smaller loaves with this recipe?
Yes, the recipe allows for variations such as creating mini-loaves or even braiding the dough for a unique presentation.
What type of yeast should I use?
This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast.
Should I use a baking stone or a baking sheet?
Either a greased baking sheet or a baking stone will work well for transferring the loaf to the oven.
How do I know the yeast is ready?
The yeast is ready when the water and sugar mixture becomes frothy after sitting for about 5 minutes.
What order should ingredients be added to the bread machine?
According to most bread machine instructions, you should place the liquids in first, followed by the solids on top.
Does this recipe include salt?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 teaspoon of salt in the main dough and mentions an additional 1/2 teaspoon in the detailed ingredient list.
Can I make this bread without a bread machine?
While the instructions are designed for a bread machine dough cycle, you could manually knead the dough until smooth if a machine is unavailable.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe falls under the 'Yeast Breads' category.
Is milk used in the dough?
No, the milk is specifically used for the egg wash glaze to help brown the crust.
What dimensions should I roll the dough to?
The dough should be rolled into a large rectangle approximately 12x18 inches.
Should I grease the baking surface?
Yes, the baking sheet or stone should be greased to prevent the bread from sticking.
How can I tell if the bread is done if I don't have a thermometer?
The bread is done when the top is deep golden brown and it produces a hollow sound when you tap on the bottom.
What makes this bread 'Artisan'?
The combination of the handmade shaping, the egg glaze, and the diagonal slashes gives it a rustic, bakery-style artisan look and texture.