This is a quick and easy bread recipe that you can whip up (start to finish) in just over an hour, allowing you to enjoy hot bread with your dinner.  

Easy French Bread

2 Tbs yeast

1/2 cup warm water

2 cups hot water

3 Tbs sugar

2 1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup vegetable oil

6 1/2 cups flour

1 egg 

* Dissolve  yeast in 1/2 c warm water.  Let proof for 10 minutes

*In separate mixing bowl, combine hot water, sugar, salt, oil, and 3 cups of flour.  Mix together then add yeast mixture and mix well

*Add the remaining 3 1/2 cups of flour 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition.  Watch for dough to start pulling away from the bowl (i usually don’t need this much flour…it comes together with around 5 1/2 cups)

*Let rest 10 minutes 

*Separate dough into 3 equal sized pieces.  On a floured surface, roll each piece into a 9 x 12 inch rectangle.  Roll it up like a jelly roll, tuck in ends, and shape into a French bread loaf

*Place bread dough on greased baking pan or silpat.  Using a sharp knife, make 3-4 diagonal slits about 1/4 inch into the bread.  Brush with beaten egg

*Let dough rise uncovered for 30-40 minutes

*Bake 375 for 18-22 minutes until golden brown

This is a ModernHoney recipe (modernhoney.com). Below are a few of my own notes and changes:

    •     although you can use a Bosch or KitchenAid, I prefer to knead the bread dough with my hands

    •    I use bread flour as it rises better and  has a chewier texture but you can also use all purpose flour

    •    The steam oven is a game changer for this recipe.  Cooking it on the bread/pastry setting crisps and browns the outside and keeps the inside soft and chewy.  

    •    I love to eat this right out of the oven with homemade raspberry freezer jam or butter and honey.  It keeps for a few days but can also be frozen for several weeks.  (But it doesn’t last that long around our house)