Crusty French Bread Rolls (Printable)
Golden, crispy French rolls perfect with butter, soups, or sandwiches
# What You 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
# Directions:
01 - Combine lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy and activated.
02 - Add bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until dough forms, then knead on a floured surface 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 the risen dough. Divide into 8 equal pieces and shape each into a ball or oval form.
05 - Arrange rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a kitchen 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 crispier crust.
07 - Lightly dust roll tops with flour. Slash each roll with a sharp knife, then bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crusty.
08 - Transfer rolls to a wire rack and cool before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The steam trick creates that professional bakery crust everyone thinks requires years of experience
- These rolls actually freeze beautifully, so you can always have fresh bread ready
02 -
- The water tray creates steam, which is absolutely crucial for that authentic French bakery crust
- Let the rolls cool completely on a wire rack, otherwise the crust will soften from trapped moisture
03 -
- Weighing your flour is more accurate than cup measurements and will give you consistent results every time
- If the dough feels too sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time, but err on the side of slightly tacky for the softest interior