Easy French Bread

 

Savor the Flavor: Effortless French Bread Magic from Cheap People's Club

 

Embark on a culinary journey with our Easy French Bread recipe from Cheap People's Club, where we've crafted a simple yet delightful way to bring the allure of French baking into your home. Designed with budget-conscious bakers in mind, this recipe ensures maximum flavor with minimal effort, using wallet-friendly ingredients easily found in your pantry.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water ~100°
• 2 tsp yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp oil
• 2 1/2 - 3 cup flour
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Warm filtered water in microwave to 100°-105°. (A cup of water in a glass measuring cup for 45 seconds.)
2. Add warm water, yeast, & sugar to bowl (mixer bowl if using a mixer). Let sit until foamy (about 5 minutes).
3. Add 2 cups of flour, salt, & oil to the bowl. TIP: Make tablespoon measuring spoon sized dip in the flour to measure the oil. Better than washing the oil out of the measuring spoon :).
4. Combine the dough:
   • Mixer Method: With the dough hook, start mixing the dough to combine. The dough will start looking "shaggy" and then start pulling ingredients off the side of the bowl.
   • By-Hand Method: Bring the ingredients together with fingertips. The dough will be very sticky at first. After some combining, it will start to resemble dough with layers or "shaggy".
5. Knead the dough:
   • Mixer Method: After the dough has come together in a ball, knead the dough for 3-5 minutes on medium-low speed. (Kitchenaid mixer level 2.) The dough should Roll around the bowl freely and get wrapped around the dough hook. If the dough sticks to the bowl, it needs a little bit more flour.
   • By-Hand Method: Knead the dough with the heal of your palm. Flip the dough clockwise 45 degrees and then firmly press the heal of your palm into the dough. Rotate dough and repeat for 5 minutes.
6. First Rise. After kneading the dough, drizzle a little olive oil in a bowl to cover dough. Roll dough around in bowl to cover. Cover bowl with dish towel and let sit for 1 hour.
7. After 1 hour, punch down dough and shape for baking. Cut slits in top of the loaf with a sharp knife about 1/4" deep and 1 inch apart. This bread works well as a single loaf on a sheet pan for classic french bread or put in a greased loaf pan.
8. Second Rise. Let dough rise for 1 hour in loaf shape of choice.
9. Preheat oven to 375°.
10. Bake in oven for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and check internal temperature. Bread final temperature should between 200°-205°. After 20 minutes, the bread will be closer to 190°. With a silicone brush, brush the top of the loaf with the egg.
11. Put loaf back in the oven for 3-5 minutes, depending how far the internal temperature was below 200°-205°. Also, remember the loaf will continue to cook slightly after removing from the oven and before starting the cooling process.
12. While warm bread with melty butter is desired by all, you shouldn't cut hot bread straight out of the oven. Let the bread rest for 10 - 15 minutes before cutting.

Note, you do not need a mixer with a dough hook to make recipe. It does make it easier and if you make bread frequently, even the most expensive mixer would pay for itself. People have been making bread for hundreds of thousands of years without a power mixer. The odds are your grandparents or great grandparents made it this way.

 

Budget-Friendly Ingredients for Quick Wins

Our Easy French Bread calls for basic kitchen staples available at affordable prices. Flour, water, yeast, salt, and a pinch of sugar are the heroes here, transforming into a crusty masterpiece that won't break the bank.

 

No-Fuss Mixing and Rising – Perfect for the Everyday Chef

Gone are the days of complex steps and costly equipment. Cheap People's Club simplifies the process, allowing you to effortlessly mix the ingredients and let the dough rise with ease. No need for special gadgets; just grab a bowl, a spoon, and let patience do the rest.

 

Stress-Free Shaping and Baking on a Budget

Shaping your French bread is a breeze with our step-by-step instructions, catering to the everyday chef on a budget. No need for fancy techniques; mold the dough into the classic baguette shape, pop it in the oven, and voilà – a golden-brown crust and a soft, airy interior await.

 

Customization on a Dime

Cheap People's Club encourages you to get creative without breaking the bank. Our Easy French Bread recipe serves as a wallet-friendly canvas for your culinary imagination. Add herbs, garlic, or a sprinkle of cheese for a personalized touch without stretching your budget.

 

Family-Friendly and Budget-Conscious

Gather the family for a budget-friendly baking adventure! This recipe is perfect for beginners and a fantastic way to introduce kids to the joy of homemade bread without draining your wallet. Turn it into a weekend activity, creating delicious memories together.

 

 

Bid adieu to pricey and complicated recipes and say hello to the simplicity of Cheap People's Club's Easy French Bread. Tailored for those on a budget, this recipe lets you savor the authentic taste of France without a hefty price tag. Elevate your baking game with this affordable guide and relish the satisfaction of creating a fresh, crusty baguette right in your own kitchen. Try it today and make every meal a flavorful delight with the aroma and taste of budget-friendly homemade French bread!

 

Chocolate Chip Cookies (Sourdough Discard)

Perfectly Chewy Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you’ve been baking with sourdough, you know the joys of cultivating your own starter. But let’s face it, sometimes you’re left wondering what to do with the discard. Instead of tossing it, why not transform it into something magical—like these soft and chewy sourdough discard chocolate chip cookies?

This recipe is a delightful way to use up your discard, adding a subtle tangy depth to classic chocolate chip cookies. It’s easy, forgiving, and perfect for satisfying your cookie cravings. Let’s dive into the details.

Sourdough Starter

How to Create Your Own Sourdough Starter 

(and Delicious Ideas for the Discard!)

Creating a sourdough starter from scratch is one of the most rewarding steps you can take in your baking journey. With just two ingredients and a bit of patience, you can cultivate a starter that will serve as the foundation for countless sourdough recipes. Plus, I’ll share some creative ways to use up the sourdough discard so nothing goes to waste!

Buttermilk Biscuits

Irresistibly Flaky Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe – A Breakfast Delight!

 

INGREDIENTS

• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup warm (90 to 110 degrees F) water
• 1/2 ounce (2 packages) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, cold, cut into small squares, plus 4 tablespoons, melted
• 2 cups buttermilk

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and 3 tablespoons of the sugar. Use a whisk to mix and eliminate lumps.
3. In a small bowl, combine the warm water with the yeast and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar; stir until the yeast is dissolved. It should take about 5 minutes to get foamy.
4. Making the dough:
1. Using your hands, mix the 1 cup cold butter into the flour, breaking the butter into small pebbles, until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk and the yeast mixture. Gently fold the flour into the wet ingredients. Keep mixing until a ball starts to form, then gently knead, 12 to 15 times, to create a smooth dough. Cover with a cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour.
2. (I have hot hands.) Another option is using a food processor to combine the cold butter in the dry ingredients. Blend until mixture resembles coarse meal. Dump dry ingredients and butter mixture into a bowl. Add buttermilk and yeast mixture to a well in the center of the dry ingredients with butter. Mix until a ball starts to form. Knead with your hands for a minute. Cover with bowl cover or plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for an hour.
5. While dough is rising, brush the bottom of a cast-iron skillet with melted butter.
6. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and press out to 1- to 1 1/2-inches thick. Fold the dough in half, press again to 1- to 1 1/2-inches thick, and then fold again. Cut the dough using a 2- to 3-inch round biscuit cutter. Place the biscuits in the skillet; brush the tops with melted butter.
7. Bake until golden brown, 18 to 22 minutes, depending on size. Brush again with melted butter and serve immediately.

These have been made for years entirely by hand. If you do have hot or warm hands, use cool water or reusable ice pack to briefly chill your fingertips during combining dough ball.
 
Elevate your breakfast game with our easy-to-follow Buttermilk Biscuit recipe! These heavenly biscuits are the epitome of Southern comfort, boasting a perfect balance of flakiness and tenderness in every bite. Say goodbye to store-bought biscuits and hello to homemade goodness!
 
Our foolproof recipe, crafted for both seasoned bakers and kitchen beginners, guarantees success. The star ingredient? Tangy buttermilk, infusing these golden gems with a delightful richness that will leave your taste buds singing. The best part? You can find all the details on our website, ensuring you have the guidance you need to master the art of biscuit making.