Easy Herbed French Bread Recipes

EASY HOMEMADE FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Add the water, yeast and sugar to the bowl of your stand mixer (or to a large mixing bowl if you're making the bread by hand). Mix together with a fork and let sit for about 5 minutes.
• Once the yeast mixture is bubbly, add 5 1/2 cups of the flour and the salt (be sure the salt doesn't touch the yeast mixture directly - mix it in with the flour first).
• Mix on low speed (if using a stand mixer) until the dough comes together, adding the last half cup of flour as the mixer begins to knead the dough. Let the mixer knead the dough for about 3-4 minutes on low speed.
• If making by hand, knead the dough for about 6-7 minutes on a lightly floured surface.
• Let the ball of dough rest in the bowl to rise for about 1 1/2 hours, and cover the bowl with some plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
• After 1 1/2 hours punch the dough down and scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured surface (flour your hands as well). Let the ball of dough sit, covered, for about 5-10 minutes before shaping.
• To shape the dough, divide the dough in half (this recipe makes two loaves). Roll the first half out into a rectangle about 16 inches by 18 or 20 inches. Roll the dough up tightly into a long snake-shaped loaf, making sure you roll tightly enough that there are no large gaps of air between the pieces of dough.
• Pinch the ends together tightly to seal them and flip the loaf over, placing it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Repeat these steps for the second loaf to shape it as well.
• Score the loaves with a sharp knife very carefully, creating 5 or 6 cuts on the top of each loaf about 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch thick.
• Cover the loaves and let them rise for another 20-25 minutes, covered with a clean kitchen towel.
• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Combine the egg and water in a small bowl and brush the mixture very gently over the top of the bread just before baking.
• Bake the loaves for about 18-20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
• Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool almost completely before slicing and serving.

HERBED FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat.
• Stir together all ingredients except bread.
• Cut bread into 1-inch slices. Spread herb mixture on cut sides of bread. Reassemble loaf. Wrap in piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil; seal securely.
• Grill uncovered about 4 inches from medium heat 15 to 20 minutes or until hot. Baking Directions: Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare bread and wrap in foil as directed. Bake about 20 minutes or until hot.

HERBED FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Slice a baguette on a sharp diagonal to make 8 long pieces. Butter both sides, season with salt and pepper and arrange on a baking sheet. Combine 3 tablespoons chopped chives and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme); sprinkle on the bread. Bake at 400 degrees F until crisp, 15 minutes.

EASY HERBED FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Cut bread into 1-in. slices. In a small bowl, combine the butter, parsley and chives; spread over one side of each slice of bread. , Place buttered side up on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown.

CRUSTY FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup water. Add the sugar, salt, shortening, remaining water and 3-1/2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Do not knead. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Turn onto a floured surface. Divide in half; let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into a 10x8-in. rectangle. Roll up from a long side; pinch to seal. Place seam side down on 2 greased baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal. Sprinkle the tops with cornmeal. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. , With a very sharp knife, make 5 diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf. Bake at 400° until lightly browned, 20-30 minutes. Remove from pans to wire rack to cool.

HERBED FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Put 5 cups flour into the container of a food processor. Add yeast, salt, rosemary, parsley, basil and chives and start processing while gradually adding the water.
• Add remaining cup of flour, or enough to make nonsticky dough that comes loose from container sides.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead while shaping the dough into a nonsticky ball.
• Lightly flour inside of a mixing bowl and add the dough. Cover with clean cloth and place in a warm (not hot) draft-free place to rise.
• Let stand until double in bulk, about 30 to 40 minutes. (It is not essential to let dough rise a second time, but it is preferable.) Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and punch down. Knead briefly and return the dough to lightly floured bowl. Let stand until double in bulk, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Turn out dough onto lightly floured board and knead briefly. Divide dough in half and shape it into two loaves, each about 15 inches long. Place loaves side by side on baking sheet and cover with clean cloth. Let stand 15 minutes or until they rise slightly (but not double in bulk).
• Remove cloth and, using razor blade, cut three uniform diagonal, parallel gashes over the top of each loaf. Place in oven on bottom rack and, if crisper crust is desired, place two ice cubes on bottom of oven. This will create steam. Bake 45 minutes or until golden brown all over.

HERB QUICK BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk together first 7 ingredients. In another bowl, whisk together egg, milk and oil. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. , Transfer to a 9x5-in. loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 40-50 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.

ITALIAN HERB BREAD I

Steps:

• Mix yeast, warm water, and white sugar together in a large bowl. Set aside for five minutes, or until mixture becomes foamy.
• Stir olive oil, salt, herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, cheese, and 3 cups flour into the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in the next three cups of flour. Dough will be stiff.
• Knead dough for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and rubbery. Place in an oiled bowl, and turn to cover the surface of the dough with oil. Cover with a damp linen dish towel. Allow to rise for one hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
• Punch dough down to release all the air. Shape into two loaves. Place loaves on a greased cookie sheet, or into two greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise until doubled in size, about a 30 minutes.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes. Remove loaves from pan(s), and let cool on wire racks for at least 15 minutes before slicing.