French Bread

 

My go to easy quick French Bread recipe from Liz / Crystal Dunn

1 T. yeast

1 t. sugar

2 cups very warm water

1 T. olive oil

1 t. salt or maybe 2

4-5 cups flour

(cornmeal optional)

Mix yeast, sugar and water and let soften.  Add olive oil, salt and flour until the dough is smooth - not sticky. 

Let rise for 1 hour punching down every ten minutes. This is easy in a Bosch because you just turn it on for a few seconds or go back to the "M." 

Prepare pans with parchment paper - I like to add a splash of corn meal to the bottom.

Form into 2 loaves.  Brush with egg wash (1 egg and 1 T. water whisked with a fork) and brushed on. 

Slash 3 diagonal cuts, not too deep, in the bread.

Let it rise about 30 min (cooler weather a bit more) When you think your bread looks almost done you can bake it as it will poof up in the oven during the baking process!

Bake at 400º for 20 minutes.  Serve warm or cold.

First made 6.28.2012 and still a fam favorite over a decade later ~