Safeway French Bread Recipe
Do you like soft and crunchy French bread at home? This Safeway French Bread Recipe is very easy. It is soft inside and golden outside.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet 7 g active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water 110°F / 45°C
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- Extra flour for dusting
Instructions
Activate the Yeast
- Add warm water and sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle yeast on top. Wait 5–10 minutes.
Mix the Dough
- Add flour, salt and oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until dough forms.
Knead the Dough
- Put dough on a floured surface. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and soft.
First Rise
- Put dough in a greased bowl. Cover with a towel. Let it rise 1 hour until doubled.
Shape the Loaves
- Punch down dough. Divide into 4 parts. Shape each part into a long loaf.
Second Rise
- Put loaves on a baking sheet with parchment. Cover and rise 30 minutes.
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a small pan of water on the bottom rack for steam.
Make Slashes on Top
- Use a sharp knife to make 3–4 diagonal cuts on each loaf. This helps bread expand.
Bake the Bread
- Bake 25–30 minutes. Bread should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
Cool the Bread
- Remove loaves from oven. Let them cool on a wire rack 15–20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Use warm water to activate yeast properly.
- Knead dough until smooth and elastic for soft bread.
- Let dough rise fully for fluffy bread.
- Bake with steam for a crispy crust.
- Cool completely before slicing to keep bread soft inside.