Homemade French Bread

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Ingredients

French Bread Ingredients

• 2.5 Cups Water warm (95-105 degrees F)

• 2 Tablespoons Sugar or honey

• 1 Tablespoon Active Dry Yeast

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil or any cooking oil

• ¾ Tablespoon Salt

• 5.5-6 Cups All-Purpose Flour

Egg Wash

• 1 Large Egg

• 1 Tablespoon Water

Instructions

• In the bowl of a standing mixer, add warm water (between 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit), sugar, and yeast. Stir, and let sit for a few minutes, or until frothy.

• Add the oil, salt and about half of the flour. Using the dough hook, mix on low for 1-2 minutes, or until all the flour is mixed in. Continue to mix on low and add flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

• Once the dough pulls away from the sides, mix on low for about 2 minutes. If the dough feels sticky, add a little more flour, until the dough is no longer sticky but is still soft.

• Turn the mixer off, cover the bowl with a towel, and let the dough rest for about 15 minutes.

• Meanwhile, lightly spray a large baking sheet or French bread loaf pans. you can also just line the pans with parchment paper.

• Once your dough has rested, remove it from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Separate the dough into 2 equal pieces.

• Gently roll each piece of dough into a rectangle using a rolling pin, about 14" x 8". Using your hands, roll each rectangle up, starting from the longer edge and gently pressing out large air bubbles with the heel of your hand until you have 2 long narrow loaves. Or roll into small rolls. The process is the same for either form.

• Carefully place the dough onto your prepared baking pans with the seam sides down. Cover with a heated kitchen towel, and let the dough rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes, or until the dough has doubled. You can toss the towel in the microwave for about 30 seconds to warm it up.

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

• While the bread is rising, make your egg wash by beating the egg and water together in a small bowl.

• Once your bread has doubled in size, remove the towel and brush your egg wash all over the loaves using a pastry brush. Make sure you get all along each side.

• Score each loaf by making about 4 angled slashes with a bakers lame or a really sharp knife.

• Put your baking pan in the hot oven and carefully place 5-6 ice cubes in the bottom of the oven, then quickly shut the oven door.

• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and baked through.

• Remove from the oven and let cool before slicing. Enjoy!