French Bread with Extra Yeast Recipe

3      Reviews by:    Eleanor Hatch   French Bread Recipe is a nice, simple and easy way to make and bake French bread using only flour, yeast, sugar, salt and water creating delicious and tasty French bread. Food Category:    Bread Cuisine Origin:    Midwestern    Servings:2 Calories per Serving:1317 Print Preview Rate This Recipe Prep Time:   58 Minutes Cook Time:   35 Minutes Total Time:   1 Hour 33 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 5 1/2 to 6 cups flour
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups water

DIRECTIONS

• Combine 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Heat water in a saucepan over low heat until very warm (120° to 130°F). Add liquid to flour mixture; beat on high speed of electric mixer until smooth, about 3 minutes. Gradually stir in more flour to make a soft dough.
• Turn onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (5 to 10 minutes). Cover dough with bowl or pan; let rest 20 minutes.
• Divide dough in half. Roll each half into 15x12-inch rectangle. Beginning at long side, roll up tightly. Seal seams. Taper the ends. With a sharp knife, make 1/4-inch deep diagonal cuts along loaf tops. Cover. Let rise until less than double in bulk (about 20 minutes).
• Brush with water. Bake at 400°F 15 minutes, then reduce to 350°F and bake 15 to 20 minutes longer. For crisper crust, put pan of hot water in bottom of oven and 5 minutes before loaf is done, brush with glaze of 1 beaten egg white and 1 tablespoon cold water.

HOME