May 27, 2012

Soft and Chewy French Bread with Garlic Spread

 I have just found the PERFECT french bread recipe.  It tastes just like, if not better, than my FAVORITE store-bought french bread - crust and all!

You know that hypnotizing smell when you walk into the grocery store and you smell FRESH french bread?  Oh my GOSH, it gets me every-single-time.  That is why they put a tray right by the front door and right by the cash register, because you can probably resist once, but twice - oh no!  Well, that is what my house smelled like, while I was baking this bread.

I usually make this recipe for fabulous french bread, because it is pretty easy and it tastes yummy, but I always thought the texture was slightly different than what I was used to with store-bought french bread.  This new version is EXACTLY what I have been looking for.  

This new recipe is just right.  The inside is so soft and has texture that french bread should have and it's not dry at all.  The crust has just the right amount of chewiness to it.  I made this bread, planning to eat it with some spaghetti and then I was going to use the leftovers for sandwiches later in the week, but we did not have any leftovers.  

It does take a little bit of time and since you can pick up a loaf of store-bought french bread for super cheap, you might think it wouldn't be worth the time and effort to make a homemade version, but my own personal opinion is HOMEMADE IS ALWAYS BETTER.  I will still be using store-bought when time is limited, but if it's a day where I have some extra time, I will, without a doubt, make this homemade recipe.  Oh and the garlic spread was yummy too, but I am content with just a little butter spray and salt and pepper.  Have you ever tried a slice of french bread with just butter and a sprinkling of salt and pepper?  You should try it - it gives it just a little kick and it is so good.

Soft and Chewy French Bread 
1 1/2 Tbl. instant yeast
1/2 c. warm water
1 1/2 Tbl. sugar
2 c. water
1 1/2 Tbl. oil
2 1/4 tsp. salt
6 c. all-purpose flour

Combine the yeast, 1/2 cup warm water and sugar; let it proof for ten minutes.  Then, add 2 cups water, oil, salt and 3 cups of flour.  Mix until flour is incorporated, then gradually add remaining 3 cups of flour.  Using the dough hook on a stand mixer, knead about five minutes, then turn out onto generously floured surface.  Every ten minutes, for the next hour, knead two or three times.  This is what gives the crust that french bread chewiness.  It is not crucial that kneading takes place at exact 10 minute intervals, just make sure to come back at least four times in the next hour to knead the dough a few times, then form back into a ball (keep dough covered with a piece of saran wrap between kneads, so it doesn't dry out)

Divide dough into 2 portions for regular-sized loaves or 4 portions for small loaves.  Spread each portion out into a rough rectangle and roll up, jelly-roll style.  Take the two ends of each loaf and tuck under slightly.  Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.  Spray a sharp knife with cooking spray and cut 3 diagonal lines into the tops of each loaf, about 1-inch deep.  Brush loaves with a beaten egg, making sure to get every single spot.  Whatever doesn't get covered with egg wash won't brown.  Raise until doubled or 30 minutes.  Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes, then at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes, rotating pan halfway through.         

*Some bread recipes tell you to keep adding flour until the sides of your bowl come clean - DON'T do that for this recipe.  This bread is incredibly tender, which means the dough is going to be softer and stickier.  Much of the dough will be hanging onto the dough hook and some will still be stuck to the bottom and sides of the bowl.  You can tell you've added enough flour and you've kneaded the dough long enough when you can pinch off a small bit and easily roll it into a little ball in the palm of your hand.  It will still be a little sticky to the touch, but not so sticky you can't roll it into a ball. 

Boursin Cheese Spread (aka Garlic Herb Spread)
1/2 c. butter, softened
8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/8 tsp. each dill, marjoram, thyme and pepper 
   OR 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning

Stir all ingredients together to combine.  Serve on warm french bread.    

Jenn's Notes:  No notes today.  I just did what the recipe said and it turned out perfect.  The instructions might look long, but this bread is really easy and I think anyone could make it!




85 comments:

  1. The bread does indeed look perfect, and French bread and garlic spread are sooooooooo good together

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    1. I made this bread twice already and it's wonderful and also vety onbghery foolproof and simple. You won't be sorry trust me.:)

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  2. Mmmmmmm....looks wonderful!

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  3. Your bread looks so good!! I'm planning to make french bread tomorrow from a recipe I got at the cooking class I went to, hope it turns out as good as yours! I want to try that spread you made, it sounds wonderful!

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    1. I can't wait to see how it turns out! Does the recipe sound similar?

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  4. Your loaf looks incredible! I always say that homemade is best, too. Can't wait to try this recipe with the spread, too!

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  5. Yumm. I haven't eaten for a night...This reminds me to go make toast. Thanks for the recipe.

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  6. AH! I know exactly which grocery store bread you're talking about! Intoxicating! Looks fabulous!

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  7. homemade bread is my weakness

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  8. i want to try out every recipe on your blog!

    So glad I stopped by have been looking for a french bread recipe!

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    1. You should try out every recipe, but start with this bread first - it was amazing! - Jenn

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  9. Let me know what you think! - Jenn

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  10. This french bread looks so delicious!! We are so glad you joined our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday". We love to see all of the great recipes and ideas!! Thanks and we hope to see you again next week! -The Sisters

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  11. This looks heavenly! I like the spread recipe too - yum! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

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  12. This looks wonderfully yummy. I love baking, so I'll have to give this bread a try. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Oh wow both the bread and the garlic spread sound DELICIOUS!!!!!!!

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  14. Thank you for sharing at Weekend Potluck! I chose it as one of my personal favorites from the Potluck last week. If you'd like, you can come on over and grab a "featured" button. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
    http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/06/weekend-potluck-21.html
    Brandie

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  15. This sounds amazing. French bread truly smells intoxicating.

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  16. looking forward to making this today!

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  17. This recipe is AMAZING. Do you know if you can make the dough and then leave overnight?

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    1. I'm not sure it would work if you left the dough in the fridge overnight. Since it only takes an hour to make and you have to knead the dough every 10 minutes or so, it might not come out right if you leave it overnight. - Jenn

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  18. I have tried dozens of French bread recipes and this is hands down the best! I followed the recipe exactly to the letter......but instead of putting the dough in a pan......I halved the dough and put each half into a side of one of those rounded and preforated (sprayed with no stick spray and sprinkled with corn meal) baking pans. Terrific! Next time - I am going to experiment and see if I might substitute some whole grain flour into the recipe.

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    1. Oh, that is so good to know. This is only the 2nd french bread recipe I have tried, but ever since I tried this one I haven't wanted to try any more. Let me know how the whole grain flour works! - Jenn

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  19. I made this bread today and it was soooo AMAZING! This was my first time ever attempting bread making! After one taste I was very surprised that I had made that all by myself! Thank you so much for sharing, I want to try so many more of your recipes!

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    1. Your first bread ever? I am so impressed - nice job! I am so glad that you liked it. I just made it again the other day too and I can't get enough! - Jenn

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  20. i made this bread last night**WOW** it is fantastic!!!!! the best bread recipe i have ever made! thank you!!!!

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    1. I am so glad you liked it! Thanks for letting me know - Jenn

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  21. I have made french bread using your recipe at least 4 times in the past 2 weeks! I love it! I have some rising right now! I attempted using half whole wheat flour last time and it still came out soft and chewy! Thanks!

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    1. That is awesome. I can't wait to try it with some wheat flour. Thanks for letting me know.

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  22. I can honestly say without a doubt that I have been searching for the best French bread recipe for years, and without fail and many,many tries, they have all turned out to be a major disappointment. That's was until today.
    I followed this recipe to the "T"!! Hoping for success, I was absolutely tickled pink and was short of doing cartwheels in my test kitchen, yureeka

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    1. Yay! I'll do cartwheels with you. I am so glad you like it as much as I do.

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  23. I am in love with this recipe, i have been looking for a year or so for a solid french bread recipe that doesnt come out to dense, this is PERFECT better than store bought french bread for sure thank you so much!!!

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    1. I am so glad you like it! I totally agree and I am in love with it too :) - Jenn

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  24. OMG! This bread is wonderful. I bake bread almost every week, and decided to try this one. Thanks for sharing. Starting to learn french cooking.

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  25. Well...Next time I will remember to split this into four loaves! I don't know what I did, but my loaves are huge! Like, spilling over the sides of the pan after the 30 min rise. They're baking in the oven right now and I'm crossing my fingers they still come out alright. So I'll probably give this another try and see if I can get the sizing of the loaf right for me. :)

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  26. We have made this twice so far. I am a long time bread/roll maker, this recipe by far delivers lovely loaves of french bread.....best ever!!! Will try it with 2 c. whole wheat flour next time. Thank you for sharing!

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  27. I have just finished making this recipe as per your instructions. I feel compelled to write you and tell you what a remarkably wonderful recipe this is!! It is SO delicious, light, and chewy. This is by far the best French bread recipe I have ever made, (and there have been a few over the years with not so great end results). The only addition I made to it was to add toasted sesame seeds to the top after putting on the egg wash. They are a subtle and very yummy flavor boost. I am very happy I did that. As soon as I bit into the first piece I headed for the refrigerator to grab the cream cheese, butter, then to get the other ingredients rounded up to make the garlic spread you had also published. Amazing recipes. Thank you so much for FINALLY resolving my hunt for the perfect French bread recipe. I just cannot rave enough about this!

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    1. That is SO good to hear. I am so glad you enjoy the bread as much as I do. Great idea with the toasted sesame seeds. Thanks!

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  28. Excited to try this recipe. It would have gone perfectly with the Ratatouille I had yesterday.

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  29. That is so good to hear!!! It's always good to know someone else loves a recipe as much as I do. Thanks for letting me know.

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  30. Yummy! I made this bread the other day and LOVED it! I mentioned it on my blog too! Check it out!
    http://www.partiallypaisley.com/search/label/food
    Only mine didn't turn out as pretty as yours! It was still delicious! Going to make more tonight!

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    1. Yay! I'm glad you liked it. The more you make it, the easier it will be to shape it. Thanks :)

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  31. Do you have to use a dough hook? What if you don't have one??

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  32. Making this right now!! First time ever making bread, with my new kitchen aid mixer (which I have never used before either) so I am nervous hahaha. I'll let y'all know how it turns out and if my boyfriend approves lol.

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  33. Well....I must say, I LOVE this bread!! I just made it and ate 3 pieces lol!
    Crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.
    When I was making it, I was so worried that it was too sticky..But obviously it was fine. I used 6 cups of flour and a little extra when kneading. But I will definitely be making this bread again. My boyfriend also really enjoyed it! Thanks so much.

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    1. Yay!! That is so good to hear. Making homemade bread really isn't hard and I'm so glad you tried out this recipe and I'm so excited for you and your new Kitchen Aid!!! This really is the best homemade french bread (in my opinion) and I'm glad you liked it as much as my family does.

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  34. After using this recipe possibly a hundred times, I decided I have to thank you! I've made this recipe over and over for a few years now, and I love it! It Always turns out great, is super easy, and it's a hit every time. I usually make this with French Onion or Zuppa Toscana soup and then hide a loaf so I can make French toast with it the next morning. Soo wonderful! You've changed the French bread game at my house! Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. Yay!! That is so good to hear. I'm glad you love this bread as much as I do. Thanks for letting me know :)

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  35. Can I use ADY for this or does it have to be instant?

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    1. Yes, you can use Active Dry Yeast instead of Instant.

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  36. My family tore this up lol. Madethe cream cheese spread too and it was good too. I did make the mistake of placing the loaves too close together on one cookie sheet (I made 4 small loaves) and not all the sides were browned. Ill definitely make this again but AFTER I get my kitchenaid because this dough is not easy to need by hand as its so sticky and wet!

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  37. Could I leave the dough in the stand mixer and just turn it on for a few minutes every 10 minutes or do I need to knead by hand? We LOVE this recipe!!

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    1. Hmmm . . . that's a good question. I have never tried it that way, but you could try it and see if it works. Just make sure to keep your bowl covered with plastic wrap between mixes, so the dough doesn't dry out. Let me know if it works.

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  38. Soooo good. Best I've ever made. Light and fluffy. Perfect. Just like at the store only better!

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    1. That is so good to hear!! Thanks for letting me know :)

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  39. Just curious, but what makes this so chewy? Had good results.

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    1. Gluten is what makes the bread chewy. Kneading the bread helps develop the gluten in the flour.

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  40. This is by far the best French bread recipe I have ever tried! Defintely a keeper! Thank you!!!!

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    1. Great French bread and easy to make

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  41. I tried this recipe and I loved this bread. Only dough was very sticky and I was not able to shape at all. I did not add any extra flour as it was strictly recommended on the the note of the recipe that not to add any flour. Please help me to understand what I have done wrong? Should I add more flour or should I punch the dough longer?
    But the taste was great. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Ana

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    1. A trick that I use sometimes is I spray my hands with a little cooking spray, so that way the dough won't stick. However, if the dough is so sticky that it is impossible to shape, then you should probably add a little more flour. Just don't add too much or the bread won't be as soft. Sometimes the difference in altitude or even the weather can make a difference with how much flour is needed. Good luck.

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  42. This bread was soo easy and delicious. This is the first French bread recipe I've made and there's no need to look any further. Thank you so much!!

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  43. Do you think i could use wholemeal flour instead?

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  44. Baking right now... Omg smells so good

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  45. I just tried this bread....AMAZING !!!
    That's all I can say...thanks Jenn.
    Something about getting your hands on this dough and the feeling of you made it with your own hands...it a feel good feeling, thanks

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    1. I'm so glad you like it. Thanks for letting me know!!!

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  46. Can you please tell me if the dough can be made in a bread machine and then baked in the oven

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    1. I have never tried it with this recipe, but I don't think I would make this in my bread machine. Depending on your bread machine, it might knead the bread too much or not enough. I would recommend making this using a stand mixer and following the kneading instructions in the recipe. Thank you.

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  47. I made this last night and it was fantastic! I was so excited it turned out. Definitely making some this weekend to put in xmas baskets for family! What would be the best way to store this for a day or two once made?

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  48. Wow! So happy to find this recipe! Turned out amazing! I was worried that it wouldn't be a use it didn't seem as sticky as I thought it should be but it worked!! And the garlic herb spread is to die for!!

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  49. In the ingredients it says 2 cups water but in the directions it says put the yeast in 1/2 cup water and after 10 minutes add 2 cups water. I don't want to mess this up. Is it a total of 2 cups or 2 1/2 cups water?

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    1. Hi, it’s really 2 1/2 cups water. That’s funny after all this time no one has mentioned that to me. Thanks!

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  50. I made this recipe tonight to go with pasta!It was delicious!!!!A keeper RECIPE for sure.My family loved it!

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  51. Made this morning into 8 small (Subway like) loaves. Delish --

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  52. Hi there, just wondering when you get to the step about making a rectangle & rolling the dough like a jelly roll, how big a rectangle do you make? Is it the full size of the baking sheet, or half size? Thanks

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  53. can you make the dough and leave it over night untill the morning? Should i put it in the fridge or keep it cover in a warm place?

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  54. Cant say enough good things about this recipe! I totally screw up plenty of bread and roll recipes. This is the only one I get right EVERY time. And it’s so perfect. Not too “yeasty” as I find a million other recipes to be. The perfect texture and everyone begs me to make it! Thanks for sharing!! Oh..speaking of rolls! Has anyone tried to make them with this recipe??

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