FRENCH BREAD

FRENCH BREAD
This is homemade bakery French bread made in minutes. It only takes a little more than an hour to have hot, fresh bread straight out of the oven.

Ingredients

·         2 Tablespoons Yeast

·         1/2 cup Warm Water

·         2 cups Hot Water

·         3 Tablespoons Sugar

·         2 1/2 teaspoons Salt

·         1/3 cup Oil

·         3 cups of Flour and another 3 1/2 cups Flour

·         1 Egg for brushing on bread

Directions

1.     The first step is to proof the yeast. Dissolve yeast in small bowl with ½ cup warm water. Make sure that your water is warm (not too cold, not too hot). Let proof for 10 minutes.

2.     In a separate mixing bowl, combine hot water, sugar, salt, oil and ONLY 3 cups of the flour and mix together.

3.     Add the yeast mixture to a bowl.

4.     Add the remaining 3 1/2 cups of flour, about a cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Watch for it to start pulling away from the bowl to know it's ready. Once all of the flour is added, let sit for 10 minutes.

5.     Separate your dough into 3 pieces. On a floured surface roll each piece into a 9x12 rectangle. Roll it up like a jelly roll. Shape into a French bread loaf and smooth out edges.

6.     Place the dough on a greased baking pan, seam side down. Using a knife, make 3-4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch thick in bread. Brush with your beaten egg.

7.     Let dough rise uncovered for 30-40 minutes in a warm place.

8.     Bake at 375 for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.