Fabulous French Bread
"Delicious and warm, crusty and suprisingly easy -- this recipe will quickly become a staple around your kitchen. This French Bread recipe can be converted into Garlic Bread to accompany any Italian dish, sliced up for an A.M. treat of French Toast, or just enjoyed with your favorite soup or bisque."
- Ready In:
- 2hrs 25mins
- Ingredients:
- 8
- Yields:
-
2 loaves
- Serves:
- 42
ingredients
directions
- Into a large warm mixing bowl, pour warm water, then stir in sugar, salt, oil, and half of the flour and yeast.
- Beat vigorously for 2 or 3 minutes.
- Stir in remaining flour until all dry ingredients are completely mixed inches.
- Let your dough mixer or machine kneed the dough for a further 8 minutes to really get the gluten working in the flour to create a softer bread.
- Once the mixing is done, transfer dough to a greased bowl and cover with a dough towel or plastic wrap.
- Let the dough rest for 20 minutes. (Time this.)
- At the end of the 20 minutes, punch the dough down; two punches should do it.
- Then set the time again for 10 minutes; at the end of the 10 minutes, punch the dough down again.
- Repeat the ten minute intervals five times.
- After the 5th time of punching down the dough, turn the dough onto a floured board; knead only enough to coat dough with enough flour so that it can be handled.
- Divide the dough into 2 parts.
- Roll each part of dough into a rectangle about 4 x 12 inches and roll up like a jelly roll, rolling from the long side.
- Pinch end to seal.
- Arrange on a cookie sheet sprayed with Pam spray and sprinkled with cornmeal.
- Allow the two loaves to rise for a further 30 minutes.
- With a very sharp knife, cut 4 gashes at an angle on top, then brush with beaten whole egg.
- If desired, sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds.
- Bake immediately at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until light to medium brown.
- Remove from baking sheets immediately and cool.
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Reviews
-
This was my first time making French Bread, and it will NOT be my last! The recipe was very easy to follow, and the bread is so very good! I'm not sure what the punch down so many times is for, but I did it and I'm glad I did. The bread has a great flavor and texture. I divided my dough into 4 pieces and made 4 long loafs. I can't wait to try this with french toast for breakfast and for fried shrimp poboys!! Thanks for posting!! -
Delicious!! This is a wonderful French bread recipe. I decided to make sandwich rolls with this and it made 10 tasty rolls that were sturdy enough to hold up to all of the sandwich fillings we filled them with. I rolled 6 oz. balls of dough into log shapes and put them on a greased baking sheet to raise for about 20 mins. I then slashed the tops with a sharp knife (lengthwise down the roll), brushed them with the egg, and baked in a 375 degree oven for about 18 mins. My family loved them and said they were definite winners. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. *Made for Fall 2009 PAC* -
Years ago I used to bake breads like this one, then pretty much got away from it! Now, back again & enjoying it! This took a bit of doing, but the results were so great ~ VERY, VERY TASTY BREAD & a pleasure to make! I did top one loaf with toasted sesame seeds & the other with poppy seeds (decisions, decisions)! [Tagged, made & reviewed for one of my adoptees in the current Pick-A-Chef]
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
I am a Junior High School teacher who loves to try new recipes and cook for large crowds! I am always looking for fun recipes to spice up my dinner table. I have been married for 13 years this December, have three beautiful children, and my best friend is a recipezaar groupie!!!! She is one of the most wonderful people I know, with the biggest heart and she helped me get onto this website and into this great group.
For fun, I like to work outside, sew, exercise, watch movies and play with my kids. My husband and I like to go "Antique Shopping". I guess I am what you would call an "old soul." I love old and aged decor. I have a passion for music and play the piano. I love the musical "The Phantom of the Opera" and think that Gerard Butler is fab!
Some pet peeves I have is when people don't say "thank you" when someone has helped them. I can't stand people who feel entitled to things just because of who they are!
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