Fabulous French Bread

Kzim4's Note:

This recipe is simple and great. I got it at a church women's function and have made it many, many times since.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 2 loaves

• 2 ½ cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 6 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons dry yeast
• cornmeal (for dusting baking sheet)
• 1 egg , beaten lightly

Directions:

1. Pour warm water into a large, warm mixing bowl.
2. Stir in sugar, salt, oil, 3 cups of flour, and yeast.
3. Beat vigorously for 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in remaining flour until all dry ingredients are incorporated, leaving spoon right in batter.
5. Allow dough to rest 10 minutes; then stir down.
6. Allow dough to rest another 10 minutes and stir down again.
7. Repeat this process until dough has been stirred down 5 times.
8. Turn dough onto floured surface.
9. Knead only enough to coat the dough with flour so it can be handled.
10. Divide dough into 2 parts.
11. Roll each half into a rectangle approximately 9x12 inches, and roll up like a jelly roll starting from the long side.
12. Pinch ends to seal.
13. Arrange on a large baking sheet that has been dusted with cornmeal, leaving enough room for both loaves.
14. Cover lightly and let rise at room temperature for 30 minutes.
15. With a very sharp knife, cut 3 diagonal slashes on top of each loaf.
16. Brush each loaf with beaten egg.
17. Bake immediately at 400°F for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.
18. Remove from baking sheet and cool on wire racks.
19. *NOTE: I have used my Kitchenaid mixer to do all the mixing and it works great either way.

Reviews

[tnrw30]

my family won't let me make another type of bread because thet love this

[bur0203]

great french bread

[KitchenGossip]

By far the best homemade bread I have ever tasted. EVER.