Home » Blog » Cooking with Grandma: Dominik & Grandma Bake French Bread

Cooking with Grandma: Dominik & Grandma Bake French Bread

How to Make French Bread & Homemade Butter

  1. Gather the ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons yeast
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 1/2 cup hot water
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 5 tablespoons oil
  • 6+ cups flour, divided
  • Homemade butter
    • 2 cups heavy cream
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt

 

 

 

2. Make the dough

  • In a small bowl mix yeast, sugar, and 1/2 cup hot water
    • Let sit
  • In a large bowl mix 2 cups hot water, salt, oil, and 3 cups of flour
  • Add yeast mixture and mix until incorporated.
  • Add 3 more cups of flour and mix until dough pulls away from sides and forms a ball
    • You may need to add up to 1/2 cup more of flour
    • The dough should not be too sticky-move to a floured surface

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Knead and roll the dough

    • Knead 30 times
      • Fold top of dough down on itself and push with the heels of your hands
      • Turn the dough 90 degrees
      • Fold top down and push down again
    • Allow 10 minutes for dough to rise
    • Knead 20 times
    • Repeat the above process 4 more times
      • 5 total kneading sessions
    • Divide the dough in half
    • Take first half and roll into rectangle
      • Length of rectangle should be the length you want your bread
      • Go from middle out and roll out all air bubbles
    • Starting on longer side, roll the dough up to form the loaf
    • Tuck the ends under and place on ungreased cookie sheet

 

  • Using a serrated knife, cut 3-4 diagonal slashes on top
    • deep enough so it goes through a couple layers of dough
  • Repeat for second half of dough
  • Allow loaves to rise for 30 minutes

 

 

4. Bake the dough and make the butter

  • Preheat oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes-until golden brown
  • For butter
    • Pour cream into food processor/blender with salt
    • Process for 10 minutes or until butter separates
    • Strain the liquid
    • Press into small bowl with the back of a spoon to remove further liquid
  • Remove bread from oven and brush butter to coat the sides and top of loaf
  • Cut with bread knife and serve-best if warm

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Enjoy

  • Let us know if you tried this at home!
  • Tag Benchmark Mortgage – Champions for the American Dream
  • Use #KerpanFamilyCircus in your post
  • Recipes found on: