Country French Bread
Great with pasta, this bread is an easy one to make ahead and then bake to go with your meal. We sometimes make this into garlic bread or top with sesame seeds. This has become a favorite dinner bread.
Ingredients
  • 2 1/4Cups Water
  • 2Tbsp Butter or Margarine
  • 1Tbsp Sugar
  • 1Tbsp Salt
  • 6 1/2Cups Flour
  • 2 Pkgs Dry Yeast, 1/4 oz each
  • Salad Oil
  • 1 Egg White
  • 1Tbsp Water
  • Garlic Powder and or Sesame Seeds optional
Instructions
  1. Heat water and butter to 125 degrees
  2. Put yeast, salt and half of the flour in a mixing bowl.
  3. Add the water mixture to the dry mixture and begin mixing with dough hooks or a spoon until all ingredients are blended together.
  4. Gradually add the remaining flour and continue mixing. Dough will become stiff.
  5. Knead with dough hooks until a ball forms and exterior is a bit shiny. Add a little more flour if dough is too wet and won't form a ball. If kneading by hand look for the same indicators.
  6. Place in a greased bowl, turn dough once so that all sides are greased. Cover bowl with a hot damp towel and allow to raise until double. Usually between 30 and 60 minutes.
  7. Punch down and turn onto floured board or surface.
  8. Knead dough for a few minutes by hand.
  9. Divide dough into 2 - 4 equal parts depending on the size of loaves you wish to make.
  10. Roll out dough into a rectangle. Turning over at least once
  11. Brush surface with melted margarine. If making garlic bread, sprinkle margarine with garlic powder.
  12. Roll rectangle like a jelly roll, fold over the ends and place on greased cookie sheet. Make several diagonal slashes in the top of the loaves. Brush with oil.
  13. Repeat for each loaf.
  14. Cover with wax paper and place in the refrigerator for 2 to 24 hours.
  15. Remove from refrigerator 1/2 to 1 hour before baking.
  16. Mix egg white and water and brush on to breads
  17. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  18. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes.
  19. Turn onto racks and allow to cool.
  20. This bread may be frozen.