Description
A simple, crusty French-style loaf with a crisp crust and soft, airy inside, perfect for sandwiches or serving with soup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 105-115°F)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast.
- Pour in the warm water. Mix with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 90 minutes.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a rough rectangle.
- Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter, and shape it into a long, tight log, about 15 inches long.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cover loosely. Let it proof for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) about 20 minutes before baking.
- Make three diagonal slashes across the top of the loaf.
- Carefully pour 1 cup of hot water into a preheated shallow pan in the oven to create steam.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown.
- Let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
For a sweeter crust, add 1 tablespoon of sugar. For a softer crust, mix in 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Prep Time: 90 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg