The French Bread
This sourdough-based French bread bakes up with a chewy interior, crisp golden crust, and subtle tang. A steamy oven and glossy egg wash help deliver bakery-style texture, perfect for sharing with soups, cheese boards, or sandwiches. The French Bread highlights the aroma of fresh loaves and the hearty bite of artisan-style baking.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook15 mins
- Serves16
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in The French Bread, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 57 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 12 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 54 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 67
- Heart Health
- 61
- Metabolic
- 24
- Digestive
- 36
- Inflammatory
- 28
- Performance
- 38
- General Wellness
- 1
Add the sourdough starter, water, olive oil, salt, sugar, yeast, and flour to the bread machine pan in that order, set the machine to the dough cycle, and start it.
- 2
When the machine completes its cycle, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead several times; add more flour if the dough is very sticky.
- 3
Cut the dough in half, and roll each piece into a rectangle about 8 by 12 inches and 1/2 inch thick.
- 4
Roll the rectangles into loaves lengthwise, pinch the seams, and taper and pinch the ends of the loaves.
- 5
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and sprinkle the paper with cornmeal.
- 6
Set the loaves gently on the prepared baking sheets, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 00:30:00.
- 7
Place a large baking stone on the center oven rack and a baking dish on a lower rack.
- 8
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- 9
Carefully pour boiling water into the baking dish.
- 10
Remove the plastic wrap from the loaves and make several 1/2-inch-deep slashes in each loaf with a sharp knife.
- 11
Whisk the egg yolk and milk together in a small bowl until fully combined, and brush the loaves with the egg yolk mixture.
- 12
Place the loaves in the preheated oven on the baking stone, and quickly spray the inside of the oven 4 or 5 times with a spray bottle filled with water.
- 13
Close the oven door, wait 1 minute, and spray again; repeat twice more, spraying the oven 4 times with water at 1-minute intervals.
- 14
Bake for about 15 minutes, then remove the water-filled baking dish.
- 15
Continue baking until the bread is browned and the loaves sound hollow when tapped, about 15 more minutes.
- 16
Transfer the bread to racks to cool.
- Calories 167.62 kcal Moderate 8%
- Protein 5.49 g Moderate 11%
- Carbohydrate 33.04 g 12%
- Total Fat 1.0 g Low Source 1%
- Saturated Fat 0.2 g Low Source 1%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 14.66 mg Low Source 5%
- Sodium 106.36 mg Low Source 5%
- Dietary Fiber 2.26 g Low Source 8%
- Total Sugars 1.26 g --
- Added Sugars 0.39 g Low Source 1%
- Calcium 28.46 mg Low Source 2%
- Iron 2.55 mg Moderate 14%
- Potassium 114.58 mg Low Source 2%
- Vitamin A 4.43 mcg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin C 0.02 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin D 0.07 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Eggs 🥚
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Corn 🌽
About This Recipe
The French Bread is made with 11 ingredients and serves 16. It takes about 35 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Active Dry Yeast, All Purpose Flour, Bottled Water, and Cornmeal. Each serving provides about 167.62 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is The French Bread made of?
- The main ingredients are Active Dry Yeast, All-Purpose Flour, Bottled Water, Cornmeal, Eggs. The full list of 11 is above.
- How long does it take to make The French Bread?
- About 35 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 167.62 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is The French Bread easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 11 ingredients and 16 steps.
- Is The French Bread healthy?
- The French Bread has an easyChef Pro health score of 45/100. Per serving, it provides 167.62 calories and 5.49 g of protein, or 11% of the Daily Value. It contains Eggs, Milk, Wheat, Gluten and Corn, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
easyChef Pro analyzes up to 41 nutrients using data sourced from USDA and other verified food databases. Its scoring method uses the nutrients relevant to nutrition quality, calorie density, processing level, and your selected health goal. Recipes and food products get a health score from 0 to 100, calculated using consistent rules instead of being estimated by AI. The same nutrition data, serving size and health goal will produce the same result.
The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
Your health goal also matters. easyChef Pro evaluates recipes and products across six health areas and adjusts their importance for your selected goal. This means the same food may be a better fit for one health goal than another.
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