French Bread

This is without a doubt my favorite bread! It all comes together in under two hours, the bread is just the right texture and it makes the most AMAZING grilled garlic bread.

French Bread

2 1/2 c. warm water
2 pkg. yeast
3 T. sugar
1/3 c. oil
1 T. salt
6 cups flour

Combine water, yeast and sugar, let sit for a few minutes. Add oil salt and 3 cups of flour. Let mix for a couple of minutes. Slowly add the 3 remaining cups of flour and let mix until fully combined.

Leave dough in mixer, and set a timer for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off, turn the mixer on and repeat the 10 min. rise for 50 minutes total. Then let the dough rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Shape dough into two long loaves (about the length of a cookie sheet) or 4 smaller loaves (about the width of a cookie sheet)  Place on greased cookie sheet. (Slit the tops with a sharp knife, if you want the more fancy look. )

Bake for 20 – 30 minutes depending on size of loaf. If you make the larger loaves, you will want to let the bread get pretty dark.

If you like a crunchy crust, place a small bowl of water on the bottom rack of your oven while the bread bakes.

To make grilled garlic bread, slice the loaf lengthwise. Spread on garlic butter (I use the garlic mix from Costco) Place bread face down on low heat until light brown----yummy!