This is about as easy as it gets for homemade french bread. I’ve been baking this often lately so if you like a sweet tasting french bread with a crispy crust and chewy interior…please continue reading!
Easy Stand Mixer French Bread
On the bread scale – this is super easy to make. While it takes quite a while it doesn’t take a lot of effort…especially if you have a stand mixer!
The stand mixer makes creating this awesome bread super easy. You use the dough hook to knead the bread so you don’t have to!
NOTE – this bread is amazing hot out of the oven. Serve with garlic butter, marinara or pesto!
Next day it is better toasted. Makes great rotisserie chicken salad sandwiches!
Use within 3 days. Refrigerate after one day.
Easy Stand Mixer French Bread
Equipment
- 13x9" sheet pan
Ingredients
- 6 cups all purpose flour or bread flour
- 2 ¼ cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1/2 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In the bowl of your electric stand mixer add the water, sugar, and yeast. Let it foam for a few minutes.
- Add the salt, oil and 3 cups of flour and turn on the mixer. Add in 2 1/2 to 3 more cups of flour gradually until the ball is clear of the sides of the bowl.
- Once you have a solid ball cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise for 10 minutes.
- Turn on the mixer for 20 seconds and cover again. Repeat five times.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly greased surface and divide in half.
- Pat the dough into 9x12 inch sections. Then roll them longwise into loaves. Make sure to press out any air bubbles.
- Put them seam side down on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure the loaves have plenty of room - you may want to use two pans.
- Using a very sharp knife add slashes to the top of the loaf.
- Cover with a kitchen towel, and let the loaves rise for about an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and BAKE for 25-30 minutes. Cover with butter immediately after removing from the oven.