Have I become a bread snob? Possibly… it definitely looks like we are inching into that territory. I love bread, it’s literally my favorite food, and has been since I was a kid. When I was a little girl, and the grocery store bakery would hand out free cookies to the kids, I’d always politely ask for a sourdough roll instead. And back then I wasn’t even enjoying the delight that is fresh homemade bread! The years of making my own bread, experimenting with different types and recipes have been nothing short of glorious (except for the couple of years where the doctor tried telling me I had to be gluten free, yeah right!). So when I tell you that this is the best bread I’ve ever had, you should listen.

Why This Homemade Bread Recipe Is a Game-Changer

This bread recipe is extremely versatile and can be used in so many ways. Here are some of my favorite uses:

Large Baguettes: Made with this dough are perfect for making garlic bread or french toast.
Hoagie Rolls: Small baguettes are great for hoagie sandwiches, like our famous meatball subs (which, by the way, led to a second marriage proposal from my husband!).
Sandwich Loaf: My personal favorite, especially for making grilled cheese sandwiches. It’s an out-of-body experience when paired with homemade chicken noodle soup!

Loaf Sizes and Tips for Baking Homemade Bread

The size of your bread pan will determine how many loaves this recipe will yield. For sandwich loaves, I use 10×5-inch bread pans, which produce two large loaves. If you have smaller bread pans, you’ll want to split the dough into three parts. Here are some additional tips:

Use Stainless Steel Bread Pans: I recommend using 360 Cookware Bread Pans, made of surgical-grade stainless steel. These pans are non-toxic, durable, and made in the USA. They’re my go-to, and I’ve even got a discount code for you to grab a set (use code PIVOTFARM).

360 Cookware BREAd pans USE CODE: PIVOTFARM

No Cleanup: To make bread baking easier, I line my pans with PFOA-free parchment paper. It eliminates the mess, makes removal a breeze, and helps prevent sticking. I’ve linked my favorite parchment paper for you here.

If you prefer to bake medium or large baguettes for garlic bread, you’ll want to make three loaves. The dough should triple during the second rising period, so keep that in mind if you’re shaping the dough into hoagies or rolls.

Using Freshly Milled Flour in Your Homemade Bread

While I don’t recommend making this recipe with 100% freshly milled flour, you can definitely substitute part of the flour with freshly milled soft white wheat. For example, I usually use:

2 cups all-purpose flour (AP)
2 cups bread flour
2 ¾ cups freshly milled flour (FMF)

I recommend trying the recipe with all-purpose and bread flour first to get a feel for the dough’s consistency before adding freshly milled flour. If you’re interested, we’ve created a flour conversion widget to help you figure out how much freshly milled flour you can incorporate into your recipe.

Best Mixers for Making Homemade Bread

While you can knead the dough by hand, using a stand mixer makes the process much easier. My go-to mixer is the Bosch Universal Mixer, which is powerful enough to handle double batches of bread. Plus, it has a blender attachment, making it a two-in-one kitchen appliance!

If you’re considering a Bosch mixer, I’ve got a special $20 off coupon for you. You can stack this code with any sales going on too! Use PIVOTFARM20 at checkout.

Bosch Mixers USE CODE: PIVOTFARM20

Storing Your Homemade Bread

Homemade bread can be stored for several days, but I’ve found the best way to keep it soft is by wrapping it in parchment paper first and then in plastic. This prevents the bread from touching the plastic while still keeping it fresh.

Although I haven’t yet tried freezing this bread, I’ll be sure to update the post once I do!

FAQs About Homemade Bread:

1. How long does homemade bread last? Homemade bread can last for 4-5 days when stored properly in plastic wrap and parchment paper.

2. Can I freeze this homemade bread? While I haven’t tried freezing it yet, homemade bread can often be frozen. I’ll update this post with the best method once I test it out!

3. Can I use a bread machine to make this bread? Yes, you can use a bread machine for kneading, but I find a stand mixer or hand kneading gives the best results for this recipe.

Conclusion: If you’re a bread lover (or you’re aiming to become a bread snob), this easy homemade bread recipe is a must-try. Whether you’re making garlic bread, hoagie rolls, or a delicious sandwich loaf, this recipe will not disappoint. Be sure to grab the right tools, like 360 Cookware Bread Pans and a Bosch Universal Mixer, to make your bread-baking experience even better!

Happy baking, and don’t forget to share your results with me!

Almost Better Than French Bread

This French bread recipe is extremely easy and versatile! We use it to make large and small baguettes, Sandwich loaves, and hoagie rolls! It's quite honestly the best bread I've ever had!

Makes 3 medium sized baguettes or 2 Large Sandwich loaves (my bread pans are on the large size 10×5). If you have smaller bread pans split into 3.

Prep Time 5

Combined rise time 1 20

Ingredients

6 Tsp Dry yeast
½ Cup Luke warm water (100 degrees F)
2 Cups Hot Water
3 Tbsp Sugar or honey
3 Tsp Fine ground sea salt
5 Tbsp Grape seed, Avocado, or Olive Oil
4 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 Cups Bread flour
1 Egg reserved for egg wash

Instructions

Add yeast and luke warm water to a stand mixer with dough hook attachment and let sit till foamy (about 5 min)
In a separate bowl, combine hot water, sugar or honey, salt, oil, and half of the flour. Stir until combined.
Add flour mixture to the yeast mixture and mix on low until everything is incorporated.
Add remaining flour one cup at a time. Let dough hook mix for 4-5 min until dough is elastic.
Leave the dough in the mixer and set a timer for 10 min. Let rise for 10 min and then turn mixer back on for 5 seconds to deflate. Repeat this process 4 more times.
Remove dough from the mixer onto a lightly floured surface. Separate into whatever size portions you plan to use the dough in.
For sandwich loaves, split it in half, and press each piece into a rectangle that is a little longer than your loaf pan. Start rolling the dough towards you like a cinnamon roll until you have a log. Place rolled dough into prepared bread pan, tucking the ends underneath as you place it in the pan.
For medium sized baguettes, break into 3 parts. Create rectangles and roll as you would the sandwich bread, but then place on a parchment lined baking sheet instead of in a loaf pan.
For mini baguettes or hoagies, cut dough into smaller pieces ( whatever size is suitable for your application.) Dough should triple in size during the next rise so keep that in mind.
Place loaves in a warm area to rise for 30 more minutes. Halfway through the rise, score the tops with a sharp knife. I usually make 3 cuts diagonally across the top.
Beat one egg and brush lightly onto loaves before you bake them.
Bake at 375 F
Baking times are approximate and will vary by oven. You should watch your first batch closely to determine your best time.
For Medium Baguettes bake for 20-25 min or until top is light brown.
For Sandwich loaves bake for 30- 35 min or until top is golden. My bread pans are on the larger size so I go closer to the 35 min mark. If you have smaller bread pans and are making 3 loaves check at 25 min.
Remove from oven, let cool and enjoy!!