Description
Delight in homemade crusty, chewy French bread rolls that are soft inside and perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- Egg wash (optional, for shine)
- Additional water (for steam)
- Herbs or seeds (optional, for variation)
Instructions
- Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl; let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture to the flour and salt.
- Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a damp towel and let it rise for 1.5 to 2 hours until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough gently and transfer to a floured surface.
- Divide the dough into portions and shape each into tight balls.
- Place shaped rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them.
- Cover rolls loosely with plastic wrap; let rise again for 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C); place a pan of hot water on the bottom rack for steam.
- Score the tops of the rolls with a sharp knife.
- Optionally, brush with egg wash or spray with water.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and cool slightly on a wire rack.
Notes
For a crustier texture, create steam in the oven and experiment with scoring patterns for better expansion.
