French Country Bread
This is an "impossible" bread. You can't make a bread like this in a bread machine. But you can.
This bread is amazing!
Isn't it impossible to make a chewy crust in a bread machine?
Well, you really can. It comes out of the bread machine crackly and chewy. And if you don't eat it all right away, stick it in the toaster to make it crackly and chewy again.
This is authentic French bread with an interior that is light and airy, soft and moist.
Your Questions
- How does this differ from your original French bread? Fair question. The original French bread was our #2 seller, a fabulous bread. But alas, a key ingredient was discontinued, and we have been testing replacements. This isn't exactly what we had before, but it's very close. We can't tell a difference unless we're eating them side by side.
- Have you given up on the original? Not at all, and we're getting close.
- What about the crust? The crust is the most amazing part! It's chewy and holds up better than anything else we've tried, and we've developed hundreds of bread mixes.
- Will my kids like it? Yep, it's kids approved. Kids like white bread.
- Can I make it round or long? Both. Yep, it's a regular French bread. You can bake it in a bread pan, on a baking sheet, or use your bread machine. If you use a bread machine, you'll need a 2-pound machine.
- How big is the loaf? In your bread machine, it should be six inches or more.
- Why is the water temperature important? The ideal temperature for yeast is 79 degrees. That's where yeast grows best.
- Is it sweet at all? No.
- What do I need to add? Only water.
- It says "no preservatives." We add nothing except a touch of dough enhancer to help the yeast grow. Without preservatives, it won't last forever. If you're not going to use it in four or five days, freeze the extra.
This is a cousin to our Italian Country Bread. Use it just as you would a loaf from your favorite baker. You'll be amazed at how easily you can make a loaf like this at home.
How to Store Your Crusty Bread
The interior of your loaf is soft and moist. Your baker will tell you to store your bread in a paper bag, not plastic, so the moisture can escape. But that means that after a day, your French bread is stale.
I cut off whatever I'm going to eat on the first day and put it in a paper bag. The rest goes in a plastic bag. But that's the end of my crusty crust.
Most of the bread in the plastic bag goes in the toaster. It's like magic! The bread comes out of the toaster, crunchy and chewy. You won't feel deprived at all!
1. Consider making this bread in the oven instead of in your bread machine.
You don't have to, of course, but in your oven, you can bake an artisan bread or bake your bread in a bread pan.
Here's "How to Bake Bread in the Oven in Three Easy Steps."
This is a free-standing French bread baked on a baking sheet in the oven.
2. Consider Roasted Garlic Olive Oil for dipping.
If you are using this bread to complement a meal, consider adding Roasted Garlic Olive Oil. This is a copycat recipe from Johnny Carino's.
How to make roasted garlic oil.
3. How to Make Your Sandwiches Better
Instead of using mayo alone on your sandwich, and some flavor with a sauce or dressing. I use Thai Sweet Chilli and mix it into the mayo to give it a little kick.
In our test kitchen, we've often used a vinegarette instead of mayo. Vinegareete gives a wonderful splash of flavor to a sandwich.
Always add pepper and salt. It's amazing how pepper and salt will elevate your sandwich.
Chicken, cheese, and avocado on French bread
4. Make Roasted Garlic French Bread
This is the real thing and you can make it in about 15 minutes.
See how to make roasted garlic French bread.
