Can I use whole wheat flour instead?

You can, but I recommend substituting only half the flour with whole wheat—it makes the loaf too dense otherwise. I made that mistake once and ended up with a bread brick.

How do I store leftovers?

Here’s my trick: wrap the cooled loaf in a clean kitchen towel (never plastic—it makes the crust soggy). It stays fresh for 2 days this way. If it lasts that long—mine never does.

My dough didn’t rise—what went wrong?

First, check your yeast expiration date. Also, that water temperature is crucial—too hot kills the yeast, too cold won’t wake it up. I use a thermometer until I got the hang of the wrist test.

Can I freeze the dough?

Absolutely, After the first rise, shape the dough, wrap tightly in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, let it come to room temperature, then do the second rise before baking.

3 Secrets to Irresistible Homemade French Bread You'll Crave -

Name: 3 Secrets to Irresistible Homemade French Bread You'll Crave
Prep time: 1 h 35 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 packet active dry yeast; 1 cup warm water; 1 tablespoon olive oil

3 Secrets to Irresistible Homemade French Bread You’ll Crave

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A simple and delicious homemade French bread recipe that you can make with basic ingredients.

Author: RecipeZest
Prep Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 packet active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil

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Instructions

Mix yeast, sugar, and warm water in a bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Add flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour.
Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf.
Place the loaf on a baking sheet, cover, and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

Use warm, not hot, water to activate the yeast.
Let the dough rise in a warm place for best results.
For a crispier crust, brush the loaf with water before baking.

Find it online: https://recipeszest.com/homemade-french-bread-recipe-easy-steps/