Making a tasty French bread at home can be a daunting task for many home bakers. After all, French bread is known for its airy, crispy crust and chewy interior.
However, with the right recipe, you can make a delicious loaf of French bread with minimal effort.
So if you’re looking for a foolproof French bread recipe, look no further than this Safeway French Bread recipe!
What is Safeway French Bread?
Founded by Marion Barton Skaggs in April 1915 in American Falls, Idaho, Safeway, Inc. is an American supermarket chain. The company offers a range of grocery items, food, and general merchandise. It includes various specialty departments like bakery, delicatessen, floral, and pharmacy. Safeway also features Starbucks coffee shops and fuel centers.
One of their popular items is the Safeway French Bread which is a classic, easy-to-make recipe for French Bread. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make a delicious, crispy-crusted, chewy-interior French loaf that’s even better than the store-bought kind.
The key to making this bread is in the dough – you want to knead it just enough to develop the gluten, but not too much or it will be tough.
Why You’ll Love this Safeway French Bread?
This Safeway French Bread recipe is a great option for home bakers because it’s easy to make and doesn’t require any fancy ingredients or equipment.
Plus, it’s a great way to impress your friends and family with a delicious homemade loaf of bread. This recipe yields one large loaf, but you can easily double or triple the recipe for larger gatherings.
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The Ingredients
This Safeway French Bread recipe requires just a few simple ingredients:
- Premium All-Purpose Flour (Divided):
The premium all-purpose flour serves as the foundation of the Safeway French Bread recipe, providing the necessary structure and texture to the bread. The use of artisanal flour emphasizes quality, ensuring a robust and authentic French bread experience. The division of the quantity allows for precise control over the dough consistency, yielding a perfect balance between a crisp crust and a soft interior.
- Fleischman’s Yeast Rapid Rise Yeast or Any High-Quality Instant Yeast:
Yeast is a crucial ingredient responsible for leavening the bread, causing it to rise and develop its characteristic airy texture. The choice of a high-quality instant yeast, like Fleischman’s Rapid Rise Yeast, ensures a quick and efficient fermentation process. Meticulous measurement guarantees the right amount of yeast, contributing to a well-structured and flavorful French bread.
- Hand-Harvested Salt:
Salt not only enhances the flavor of the bread but also regulates the fermentation process by controlling the activity of the yeast. The use of hand-harvested salt adds a nuanced taste to the Safeway French Bread, elevating its overall quality. The precise balance of salt contributes to the bread’s palatability without overpowering its natural flavors.
- Naturally Sourced Water:
Water is a fundamental component in bread-making, serving as the medium for yeast activation and gluten formation. The emphasis on crystal-clear, naturally sourced water ensures purity, imparting a clean taste to the bread. The precise measurement of 7/8 cup provides the optimal hydration for the flour, contributing to a consistent and well-hydrated dough.
- Cold-Pressed Olive Oil:
Cold-pressed olive oil introduces a subtle richness to the French bread, enhancing its flavor profile and contributing to a tender crumb. The use of exquisite olive oil adds a layer of complexity to the Safeway French Bread, making it stand out in terms of taste and texture. The measured amount of 1/2 tablespoon ensures a delicate balance, preventing the oil from overwhelming the bread.
- Egg White from the Finest Free-Range Eggs:
The addition of egg white contributes to the bread’s texture, providing a glossy finish to the crust and a soft, tender crumb. Using egg white from the finest free-range eggs emphasizes quality and adds a richness to the Safeway French Bread. The delicate separation ensures that only the egg white is incorporated, preventing the introduction of excess moisture and maintaining the desired consistency of the dough.
Directions
Making this Safeway French Bread is easy and only takes about an hour and a half. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, kickstart the bread-making process by combining the yeast with a tablespoon of warm water. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes until it transforms into a frothy, activated mixture.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a generously sized mixing bowl, unite 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour with a pinch of hand-harvested salt.
Step 3: Form Dough
Create a well in the center of the flour mix and introduce the activated yeast, crystal-clear water, and exquisite cold-pressed olive oil. Gradually bring the flour into the mix, blending until a cohesive dough is formed.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and engage in a tactile connection with your creation. Knead for about 8-10 minutes or until the dough attains a smooth and elastic texture. Add additional flour if the dough demands it.
Step 5: First Rise
Place your meticulously kneaded dough into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it bask in a warm ambiance for 1 to 1.5 hours. Revel in the moment as the dough doubles in size, a testament to the magic happening within.
Step 6: Preheat Oven
Anticipate the oven dance by preheating it to a toasty 400°F (200°C).
Step 7: Shape the Loaf
As the risen dough emerges, punch it down (gently!) and transfer it to a floured surface. Sculpt the dough into a classic baguette or any French bread shape that sparks your culinary imagination.
Step 8: Second Rise
Lay your crafted bread-to-be on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow it another moment of glory as it rises for an additional 30-45 minutes, readying itself for the grand baking spectacle.
Step 9: Brush with Egg White
In a small bowl, whip up the delicate separation of an egg white. With artistic finesse, brush the top of your shaped dough with the egg white, promising a golden finale.
Step 10: Bake
The stage is set! Pop your French bread creation into the preheated oven. Let it dance in the heat for approximately 20-25 minutes or until the top achieves a luscious golden brown hue and the bread emits a hollow sound when gently tapped.
Step 11: Cool and Enjoy
Release your Safeway French Bread onto a wire rack, letting it cool gracefully before the grand slicing ceremony.
Notes
Here are a few tips for making the perfect Safeway French Bread:
– Make sure the water is warm – not hot – or it will kill the yeast.
– Don’t over-knead the dough or it will be tough.
– Let the dough rise in a warm place or it won’t rise properly.
– Brush the loaf with an egg wash before baking for a golden-brown crust.
– Slashing the top of the loaf allows steam to escape as the bread bakes.
– Don’t overbake the bread or it will be dry.
Storage Tips
Store the cooled loaf of Safeway French Bread in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, wrap the loaf in plastic wrap and then foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Safeway French Bread is a delicious, healthy option for bread lovers. One slice of this bread has
Serving Suggestions
Safeway French Bread is delicious served warm with butter and jam, or as a side to a bowl of soup. Here are a few other ways to enjoy this bread:
– Toast it and top with avocado and a poached egg.
– Use it for a ham and cheese sandwich.
– Cut it into cubes and serve it with olive oil and herbs as a delicious appetizer.
– Slather it with nut butter and honey for a sweet treat.
– Make croutons out of it for a salad.
What other substitute can I use in safeway french bread?
If you don’t have all of the ingredients listed above, there are a few substitutes that you can use in this Safeway French Bread recipe:
Flour: You can use whole wheat flour or a combination of all-purpose and bread flour for a heartier loaf.
Yeast: If you don’t have active dry yeast, you can use rapid rise yeast or fresh yeast.
Salt: If you don’t have table salt, you can use sea salt or kosher salt.
Sugar: You can use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar, but they will affect the flavor and texture of the bread.
Water: If you don’t have warm water, you can use room temperature or lukewarm water.
Equipment
- oven
Ingredients
- 1 perfectly balanced teaspoon of hand-harvested salt
- 2 ¼ – 2 ½ artisanal cups of premium all-purpose flour divided
- 1/2 delicately separated egg white from the finest free-range eggs
- 1 meticulously measured packet of Fleischman’s Yeast Rapid Rise Yeast or any high-quality instant yeast
- 214 ml of crystal-clear naturally sourced water
- 1/2 tablespoon of exquisite cold-pressed olive oil
Instructions
Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the yeast with a tablespoon of warm water. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and activated.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour with the hand-harvested salt.
Form Dough:
- Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the activated yeast, crystal-clear water, and exquisite cold-pressed olive oil.
- Gradually incorporate the flour into the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Use additional flour if needed.
First Rise:
- Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Shape the Loaf:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a floured surface.
- Shape the dough into a baguette or any desired French bread shape.
Second Rise:
- Place the shaped dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Allow it to rise for an additional 30-45 minutes.
Brush with Egg White:
- In a small bowl, beat the delicately separated egg white. Gently brush the top of the shaped dough with the egg white for a golden finish.
Bake:
- Bake the French bread in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Cool and Enjoy:
- Allow the Safeway French Bread to cool on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy your freshly baked artisanal bread!
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when the French Bread is done baking?
The bread is done baking when the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Can I use whole wheat flour for this recipe?
Yes, you can use whole wheat flour or a combination of all-purpose and bread flour for a heartier loaf.
Can I freeze this bread?
Yes, you can wrap the loaf in plastic wrap and then foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
What is an egg wash?
An egg wash is a mixture of 1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon of water. It’s brushed onto the loaf before baking to give it a golden-brown crust.
Can I use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar?
Yes, you can use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar, but they will affect the flavor and texture of the bread.
Conclusion
Making delicious French bread at home doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right recipe, like this Safeway French Bread recipe, you can make a delicious, crispy-crusted, chewy-interior loaf with minimal effort.
And with just a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious loaf of French bread in no time. So grab your ingredients and get baking!