French Bread is one of the easiest breads to make – if you think back to Home Economics in high school you may have made this.
I took Home Economics for one year, then decided I wanted to be in Wood Shop instead….. fast forward 18 years later, I prefer being in the kitchen and am not really so sure why I ever thought Wood Shop was a better class.
I love making bread – and even if we can’t eat both loaves, it provides a great opportunity to wrap one up and gift to family – or, my neighbors (who is also a great cook, too!)
Once you make your own french bread, I can guarantee you won’t go back to buying bread in store – this is just too easy!
- 2 1/2 C. Warm Water (105 - 115 degrees F)
- 3 tsp Active Dry Yeast
- 1/4 C. Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 1 Tbsp Oil
- 6 C. Organic, All Purpose Unbleached Flour
- 1 Tbsp Butter, melted
- In your KitchenAid, mix the water with the yeast, and let proof for 10 minutes (it should get frothy on top).
- Mix in the sugar, salt, oil and flour with the dough hook just until mixed.
- Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead for 5-7 minutes or until a soft ball of dough forms.
- Grease or oil a bowl and place the ball of dough in the bowl, and set in a warm place to double - 60 to 90 minutes. If you wish, you can pre-heat your oven to 200, turn off, and let it sit in there.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, punch down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Cut in half (to make 2 pieces) and form into 2 loaves - it's easiest to do this on a baking mat or a cookie sheet so you don't have to move them later.
- Take a sharp knife and make deep cuts (about 1/3 way into the dough) every 2-3 inches ... then let the dough rise again for 25-30 minutes.
- In the meantime, preheat your oven to 350.
- Once the bread has risen the second time, pop in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown - the bread should sound hollow when you tap it.
- Remove from the oven, brush with melted butter.
- Use serrated knife to cut into pieces and serve warm.

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