Comments on: Easy Soft French Bread

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 23 May 2016 22:06:37 +0000

In reply to C.C. CC, I have never baked one loaf at a time, but my best guess is that I would keep the baking time the same.

By: C.C

C.C — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:29:52 +0000

I want to half the recipe so I can make only 1 loaf of bread… What would my baking time be?

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 14:26:31 +0000

In reply to Sam. Oh my gosh! I had never thought of making breadsticks. What a great idea! How long do you bake for breadsticks? Seriously isn't this the BEST recipe?

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 00:29:54 +0000

I have to say, I use this recipe for almost everything now. I leave it as is for Italian bread. My favorite, so far are breadsticks. I follow all directions, but just before I bake, I form it into sticks, bake until golden, then cover with melted butter, sea salt, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Seriously to die for! Almost as good as Olive Garden, I swear! Right now, I’m making a couple loaves, but I was 1 cup short of AP flour, so I just use whole wheat instead (five cups AP, 1 cup WW) and added Italian herbs and garlic powder. It looks good and smells divine, so we’ll see how it all turns out. I also plan on making it as is and using the dough to make some Indian Fry Bread for tacos.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 21:26:22 +0000

In reply to Fran. Hi Fran! For this recipe you do not have to let the yeast rise first before adding flour. I first got this recipe from a 12 year old that made it for me and I figured that if she could do it then so could I! (I'm not a good bread maker!) Now it's my favorite "go to" bread recipe and it's never not worked for me. Crossing my fingers that this will turn you into a bread maker too! Deb

By: Fran

Fran — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 06:54:20 +0000

I don’t make much bread … ok …. no bread …. but just got a Kitchenaid stand mixer and want to try. Do you put the yeast, water, flour, and sugar all in at once? Or do you have to put the yeast, sugar and water in a bowl first and let it bubble or whatever it’s suppose to do first, and then add the flour?

By: Debbie

Debbie — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 02:53:10 +0000

In reply to Kristina. Hi Kristina! Hmmm...not quite sure what happened. I have given this recipe to so many people without a problem. Even people who have never made bread before. So it's hard to tell what went wrong but if the dough was that sticky, I would have added some more flour. But if it was also flat, maybe your yeast was old and not active anymore? Gosh, I hope you try this again because it is soooo good. And I wish I was in your kitchen to help!

By: Kristina

Kristina — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 23:22:49 +0000

Hello. I made this bread today but I must have did something wrong. It turned out very flat. And before baking the texture was very sticky. I couldn’t even use my rolling pin cause it stuck to it. I followed the directions to a T. Should i have used more flour?? And when rising I had to put the bread on two cookie sheets cause it wouldn’t hold its texture. Please help. It still tastes great book t is very flat.
Kristina

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 03:56:59 +0000

In reply to annie. Hi Annie, Yes you can omit the egg and the bread should be fine. I'm not too sure about substituting the oil though. Mixing the dough with a mixer might be a little challenging, you might want to knead by hand.

By: annie

annie — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:42:45 +0000

HI,
is its ok if i do not put any egg on the enitre surface will the bred be ok ?
For the #4 Can i use oil instead of shortening ?
Can i use KitchenAid mixer bol to make the dough ?
thank you

By: Debbie

Debbie — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 04:12:41 +0000

In reply to Jess. Jess so sorry for the delay in my response but you did everything right! I love the soft inside texture of this bread. It really is one of my all time favorite recipes. I usually cut them in half and put them in a large ziploc bag. So glad you liked it!

By: Jess

Jess — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 02:15:56 +0000

nm, i greased with olive oil and got a wonderful slightly crunchy texture on the bottom, and i didn’t cover them while they rised. they turned out AMAZING, this recipe is a keeper! but i was wondering how to store them so they don’t dry out??

By: Debbie

Debbie — Thu, 29 May 2014 13:44:20 +0000

In reply to Shaunda. I LOVE this bread! It seriously is my go-to bread. You can definitely freeze some loaves too. Let me know how this turns out for you! Deb

By: Shaunda

Shaunda — Wed, 28 May 2014 18:16:07 +0000

Trying this today! My first attempt at making bread:) Could you make a few loaves and freeze a few? or even freeze just the dough before baking it? Thanks!

By: Italian Skillet Chicken | Made From Pinterest

Italian Skillet Chicken | Made From Pinterest — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 01:01:12 +0000

[…] Easy Soft French Bread […]

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 02:01:53 +0000

In reply to Vivian.

Vivian—You just made my day! They do make big loaves but when they’re done cooking, aren’t they impressive? I’m with you….it’s the only french bread recipe that I use! Deb

By: Vivian

Vivian — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:48:07 +0000

In reply to Debbie. It is awesome! I like soft bread and I made another 2 loaves today just to be sure it wasn't a fluke. Husband ate two loaves in less than 48 hours. Came out even bigger :). I have a big bag of SAF instant yeast and used 120 degree water and it wasn't a problem. Thanks so much for the post. Only French bread recipe I'll use.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 23:04:34 +0000

In reply to Vivian. Hi Vivian! I used RedStar active dry yeast and I do get the air bubbles out. Also the dough should be soft and floppy. Sure hope this helps! This really is GREAT bread! Deb - The Oldest Sister

By: Vivian

Vivian — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 06:36:44 +0000

Hi Debbie, do you use active dry or instant yeast? I used instant and it just wants to rise like crazy! Also do you pound out all the air bubbles before you roll out and roll it up? Is it supposed to feel sturdy or soft and floppy?

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 05:21:16 +0000

In reply to Nicole. Hi Nicole! I have always used All Purpose flour with great results. Hope you do too! Deb - The Oldest Sister

By: Nicole

Nicole — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 03:45:48 +0000

Looks fabulous! Do you use AP or Bread flour?

By: Debbie

Debbie — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 16:48:42 +0000

In reply to Jean. Oh Jean, I am so excited that you are going to try this bread. It is nothing less than amazing. I do use my dough hook and I just cover the bowl while it is still hooked up to my KitchenAid mixer. I then just remove my towel, turn the mixer on to mix it down, then cover it again for the next ten minutes. Super easy! Let me know how you like it! Deb - The Oldest Sister

By: Jean

Jean — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 04:47:42 +0000

Since you make this with your KitchenAid mixer, do you use the dough hook? And when you are letting it rest, do you just leave it in the bowl and when the 10 mins are up, do you just turn on your mixer to mix it down and repeat, or do you mix it down with your hands?

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:00:13 +0000

In reply to mary boucher. Hi Mary! What would we do without our sisters? I am a breast cancer survivor and have had a double mastectomy. Sometimes when I am down the only thing that raises my spirits is to chat with my sisters. I have two family members with Meniers disease and understand your challenges. My heart goes out to you. When I make this bread I use 2 1/2 cups of water as hot as it comes out of my faucet. I love this bread because it is soft and not crusty. I sure hope you like it too! Deb

By: mary boucher

mary boucher — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:48:24 +0000

hi debbie i am going to try your bread recipie but is it warmer than normal water because you do not say and i am not good on the computer so to hard hope you and yor sisters are well i would not be here if it wernt for my sisters saved my behind all the time i have just been told i have meniers disease its an incurable pain in the but so i am no longer able to walk or go outside or much else so i need to know excatly i am guesssing water cause next line says it ty for listening sorry for the book thank you mary

By: Debbie

Debbie — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:45:52 +0000

In reply to Jeni. Chocolate, cheese and bread. That would be my heaven!!

By: Jeni

Jeni — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:15:12 +0000

Ummmm, no question about it, I COULD live by bread alone. It’s my biggest weakness next to chocolate and cheese 🙂 This looks awesome Debbie! I’ll have to make this.