This is a SIMPLE, SIMPLE French bread recipe. It takes two hours from start to finish (only about 5 minutes of that is hands on time). I got the recipe from our neighborhood cookbook. My family gobbles up an entire loaf hot out of the oven. The second loaf is generally made into delicious French Toast on day two.
6 Cups flour (maybe more)
2 T yeast
3 T sugar
1 T salt
2 1/2 Cups warm water
1/3 cup oil
1 egg, beaten
sesame seeds
Put 3 cups flour, yeast, sugar and salt in bowl of food processor. In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the water and the oil. While the food processor is running, slowly add the water/oil mixture alternately with 3 additional cups of flour (or more if needed). Process until a soft dough forms.
Leave dough in food processor for an hour and push the pulse button every 10 minutes.
Divide dough in half and form into two elongated loaves. Place on cookie sheet dusted with cornmeal. Let rise for thirty minutes then slash tops on diagonal, brush with beaten egg, and sprinkle with sesame seeds (if you plan to save a loaf for French toast, omit the sesame seeds). Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes.
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ReplyDeleteI Loooove french bread, (and french toast!) Its my all time favorite. THanks for sharing! I hope you and your adorable girls are having a fun holiday season and baking up some really fun holiday goods (Im sure you are, you are the queen of baking) :)
ReplyDeleteI want to make this bread - but I don't have a full size food processor? Can it be modified to do without?
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI have never made this without my food processor, but i would imagine you could do it all by hand. I would recommend mixing it all together and kneading it until it is smooth, and then kneading it for a minute or two every ten minutes while it rises (instead of pulsing). I'd love to hear if it works out.