French Bread

Fresh bread is so simple to make!  This recipe is from the Kitchen Aid cookbook, although I do alter the cooking time.

This recipe will make two long traditional French bread loaves or four 6 inch round loaves

2 packages dry yeast ( 4 1/2 tsp)

2 1/2 cups warm water

1 TBSP salt

1 TBSP melted butter or margarine 

6 1/2-7 cups all purpose flour

1 egg white

1 TBSP water

In kitchen aid mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water.  Let sit 5 minutes.

Add salt, butter, flour.  Knead with dough hook at speed 2 for about two minutes until thoroughly mixed and smooth, pulling away from the bowl.

Place dough in greased bowl ( I use cooking spray) and grease top of dough also.  Let rise in warm place for about 1 hour or doubled in bulk.  

Punch down.  For two long loaves, divide dough into two sections.  Roll each half into a 12x15 rectangle.  Roll dough tightly k tapering ends and pinching bottom to seal.  Cover and let rise again for 1 hour or until doubled in size.  For four round loaves cut into four equal pieces and shape like a giant buns.  

With sharp knife, make 3-4 diagonal cuts across loaf for decoration.  Brush with egg white/ water mixture.  Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

This bread freezes very well.  Thaw and reheat @375 degrees for 10-15 minutes till crisp and heated through.