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Learn how to make amazing homemade french bread with this easy recipe and video tutorial. It's so delicious! And try the herbed garlic butter too
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4.91 from 10 votes

French Bread & Garlic Spread

Prep Time1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 50 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Keyword: Bread

Ingredients

Bread

  • 2.5 cups Warm Water
  • 1.5 tablespoons Yeast
  • 1.5 tablespoons Oil
  • 1.5 tablespoons Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 6 cups Flour, plus up to an addition 1/2 cup

Garlic Spread

  • 8 oz Cream Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Butter 1 stick
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon Basil
  • 1/8 teaspoon Dill, Marjoram, Thyme, and Pepper OR 1/2 teaspoon Poultry Seasoning

Instructions

Bread

  • Place water, yeast, oil, sugar, salt and three cups of flour in the bowl of a stand mixer.
  • Mix until flour is incorporated, then add remaining three cups of flour gradually.
  • Knead about five minutes, adding another half cup of flour if needed, then turn out onto generously floured surface. 
  • Let rise for one hour. During that hour, knead the dough four to five times every ten minutes.
  • Form into four loaves. Brush with beaten egg white. 
  • Slash 3 diagonal lines into tops. Raise until double or thirty minutes.
  • Bake at 425 for 10 minutes, then at 375 for 20 minutes.

Spread

  • Soften cream cheese and butter. Beat all ingredients until completely combined. Serve with bread.