French Bread

Nothing beats the aroma and taste of freshly baked French bread. With this recipe, you can create a delicious loaf of homemade French bread that will fill your kitchen with the wonderful scent of freshly baked bread. Whether you enjoy it plain, with butter, or as a base for sandwiches, this French bread is sure to impress.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 1/2 cups hot water
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons instant yeast
• 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place hot water in a large bowl.
2. Add the shortening, salt, and sugar to the bowl.
3. Stir the mixture and let it stand until lukewarm.
4. Sprinkle the instant yeast over the mixture.
5. Beat the mixture until smooth and well combined.
6. Add 3 cups of flour to the bowl and beat until the mixture is mixed thoroughly.
7. Work in 2 cups of flour with a wooden spoon until incorporated.
8. Gradually knead the last 1-1/2 cups of flour into the dough until it is no longer sticky. This process should take around 3 minutes.
9. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise for 30 minutes in a warm place until it doubles in size.
10. Punch down the risen dough and place it on a floured board.
11. Roll out the dough into a rectangle shape.
12. Cut the dough lengthwise in half to create two strips.
13. Take each strip and roll it up lengthwise, then pinch the seams to secure them.
14. Roll the dough gently back and forth with your hands to achieve the desired length and to smooth out the loaf.
15. Lightly grease a cookie sheet or use French loaf bread pans for baking.
16. Cover the dough and let it rise for an additional 25 minutes.
17. Preheat the oven and place a large cookie sheet filled with boiling water in the oven to create steam.
18. Make diagonal slashes across the bread, about 1/4″ deep, to allow for expansion during baking.
19. Place the prepared dough onto the greased cookie sheet or into the French loaf bread pans.
20. Bake the French bread in the preheated oven according to the recipe’s suggested baking time and temperature until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
21. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• For a rustic touch, you can sprinkle some flour on top of the bread before making the diagonal slashes.
• For a more crispy crust, spritz the bread with water before placing it in the oven.

Enjoy the freshly baked French bread as is or serve it with your favorite spreads, soups, or sandwiches. Indulge in the delightful flavors of homemade French bread with this easy-to-follow recipe. From the soft interior to the crusty exterior, this bread is sure to satisfy your cravings and impress your family and friends.