Perfect (and super easy) French Bread Recipe

I found this recipe in a magazine the other day and wanted to make it for Garlic Bread because it looked so easy, and it was! Here is the recipe:

Easy French Bread: makes 2 loaves

2 Tbsp. active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (110-115 degrees)
1 Tbsp. honey
2 tsp. salt
4 1/2 to 5 cups bread flour (I just used regular white)

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and honey. Let it bubble up for about 5 min. Add the salt and 2 cups of flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. If you have a dough hook on a stand mixer, let the dough hook knead the dough for about 8 min. If you don’t have a dough hook, knead by hand until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour.

Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; divide the dough in half. Shape into 12 in. long loaves. (I roll mine out into a rectangle and roll the long side kind of like cinnamon rolls then pinch the seam and ends under, and set it pinched side down on the sprayed pan.) Make sure the baking sheet is greased. Let rise again until doubled, about 30 min. With a sharp knife, make four shallow slashes across the top of the loaves. Bake at 450 for 15-20 min or until golden brown. Butter the top of the loaves right after they exit the oven. Enjoy!

Check out my recipe for garlic bread topping here!