Crusty French Bread Rolls (Printable Version)

Golden, crispy rolls with tender centers. Perfect warm with butter or paired with soups and salads.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups bread flour
02 - 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
03 - 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
05 - 1 teaspoon sugar

→ Topping

06 - 1 tablespoon flour for dusting

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Combine lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and activated.
02 - Add bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until dough forms, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
03 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
04 - Punch down dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball or oval form.
05 - Place rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a towel and let rise for 30-40 minutes until puffy.
06 - Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a tray of water on the bottom rack to create steam for a crustier exterior.
07 - Lightly dust tops of rolls with flour. Slash each roll with a sharp knife to allow for expansion during baking.
08 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crusty. Cool on a wire rack before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The steam technique creates that professional bakery crust you usually have to buy
  • These rolls transform simple meals into something worth lingering over
02 -
  • The water tray in the oven is non negotiable for that authentic crust
  • Let the rolls cool completely on a wire rack or the bottoms will get soggy
03 -
  • Use a very sharp knife or razor blade for clean slashes that open beautifully
  • The rolls are done when they sound hollow when tapped on the bottom

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