Fleischmann's RapidRise Instant Yeast

Michelle YorkOctober 11, 2026

Soup season, chili season, cozy fall nights… which means it’s officially homemade bread season! 🍞🍂🥖 And if you’ve never made bread from scratch, THIS is the recipe to start with! My easy one-hour(ish) French bread is a staple in our house, especially during the fall and holidays. It’s ridiculously easy, inexpensive, requires NO kneading, and uses just a handful of basic pantry ingredients! Perfect for those nights when you have a big pot of soup or chili going but realize you have no bread to go with it. Soft and fluffy on the inside, golden and crusty on the outside, and ALWAYS a crowd pleaser! 🍞 EASY HOMEMADE FRENCH BREAD RECIPE Ingredients: * 2½ cups warm water * 2 tbsp active dry yeast * 2 tbsp sugar * 1 tbsp salt * 5½ cups all-purpose flour (start with 4½ and add as needed) * Optional: 1 egg for egg wash Directions: 1. Whisk warm water and yeast together and let sit for 15 minutes. 2. Add sugar and salt, then gradually mix in flour until a soft dough ball forms. No kneading necessary! 3. Cover and let rest for 20 minutes (or up to 2 hours if you have extra time). 4. Divide dough into two loaves, shape, and place on a baking sheet. 5. Cover and let rise another 15 minutes or longer. 6. Optional: Brush with egg wash for that beautiful golden crust. 7. Bake at 450°F for 15–20 minutes, until golden brown and crusty! That’s it! TWO beautiful homemade loaves without spending all day in the kitchen. Save this one because I promise you’ll be making it on repeat all season long! 🥖🤎 #EasyHomemadeBread #onehourbread #FallRecipes #easyfrenchbread #cookingwithmichellesays