Bread Machine Crusty French Bread

Savor the Crusty Goodness of Bread Machine Crusty French Bread

Embark on a comforting bread-making adventure with this Bread Machine Crusty French Bread recipe, blending the ease of a bread machine with the rustic charm of crusty French loaves.

Whether you’re preparing for a cozy Sunday brunch or baking for friends, this bread gives you that bakery-style crust and airy interior right at home.

Ideal for sandwiches, soups, or simply slathered with butter, this recipe brings the joy of a fresh loaf into your own kitchen. Ready to transform flour, water and yeast into golden crusty loaves? Let’s get baking.

Crusty French Bread in a Bread Machine: Why You’ll Love It

This Bread Machine Crusty French Bread delivers a crisp, crackling crust and a soft, tender crumb. Moreover, by using the bread machine for the initial mixing and kneading, you save time while still creating artisan-style loaves. As you remove the dough before baking, you gain control over shaping and crust development. Plus, you’ll enjoy that warm, home-fresh aroma filling your kitchen.

Pro Tips for a Perfect Crusty French Bread with a Bread Machine

1. Use room-temperature water: Starting with the right temperature helps activate the yeast properly and ensures even dough development.
2. Optimize your bread machine setting: Choose the French bread or dough cycle, then remove the dough before the baking phase to finish in the oven.
3. Oil your baking surface and sprinkle cornmeal: This helps get that classic crust and prevents the loaf from sticking.
4. Keep an eye on your oven’s steam: By placing a pan of boiling water in the lower rack, you create steam that contributes to a crisp crust.
5. Use an egg-wash just before finishing baking: A light brush of egg white and cold water gives the loaves a lovely golden sheen.
6. Let the loaves cool before slicing: Though tempting, slicing too soon can collapse the crumb structure.

Bread Machine Crusty French Bread Recipe:

• Preparation time: about 10 minutes
• Cooking time: around 40 minutes (oven time)
• Servings: 2 loaves
• Equipment: Bread machine, large cookie sheet, wire rack

With this Crusty French Bread with Bread Machine method, your kitchen will fill with the scent of freshly baked bread and each loaf will have a tempting crispy crust ready for your favorite toppings or dipping oils.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups room-temperature water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or olive oil), plus extra for baking
• 2 tablespoons dry milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
• 2 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons medium-grind cornmeal (for baking)
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon cold water

Directions:

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Add the room-temperature water, oil, dry milk, all-purpose flour, bread flour, sugar, salt, and yeast to the bread machine in the order your manufacturer recommends.
3. Use the French bread setting on your machine, but remove the dough after the last kneading cycle and before the baking phase begins. Or, alternatively use the dough cycle: after the cycle finishes kneading and rising, punch down the dough to release air, let it rise again for 45 minutes to 1 hour, then knead lightly and let it rise for another 45 minutes to 1 hour.
4. Spray or lightly oil a large cookie sheet and sprinkle with the cornmeal.
5. To form the loaves, transfer the dough (which will be soft) to a lightly floured board. Sprinkle with a little all-purpose flour.
6. Cut the dough into 2 equal portions and roll each into a rectangle about 12 to 15 inches wide (add more flour if needed to prevent sticking).
7. Starting at the long end, roll up each rectangle, pinching the seam tightly. Repeat for the second roll.
8. Place the two loaves on the prepared cookie sheet; cover with a clean dish-towel and let them rise for about 1 hour.
9. While the loaves are rising, preheat your oven to 400 °F (about 200 °C). At the same time, place a pie plate filled with about 1 inch of boiling water on the lower rack of the oven — this creates steam that enhances the crust.
10. Place the cookie sheet with the dough on the middle rack and bake for 15 minutes at 400 °F.
11. After 15 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 350 °F (about 175 °C) and bake for another 25 minutes or until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. About 5 minutes before the loaves finish baking, whisk together the egg white and cold water in a small bowl and lightly brush the loaves with this egg wash to achieve a shiny, golden crust.
13. Once the loaves are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Ready to Relish Your Homemade Crusty French Bread

This Crusty French Bread made via your bread machine is a delightful experience. You’ll enjoy warm slices, a crunchy crust, and a soft, airy inside. Serve it with butter, olive oil dipping, soups, or sandwiches. And if you’re inspired by other homemade bread styles, check out Homemade French Bread. You might also enjoy Easy Dutch Oven No-Knead Bread for a different method. For breakfast breads, try Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring. For savory sides, then look into Super Moist Cornbread Recipe. Finally, if you love one-pot comfort dishes, you can explore Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy as a pairing.

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