French Bread

I’m addicted…to bread. I can’t help myself. Give me a fresh loaf of homemade yumminess and I am in heaven!

I LOVE this French Bread recipe. It’s super easy , quick, and cheap to make! I bake it at least once a week when the weather is cool.  For this recipe I used half whole wheat and half white flour. The wheat gives it a hearty flavor and the white flour gives it a great texture.

This bread is one of my favorite things to serve with soup. The crust is golden crisp and the inside is soft and melts in your mouth! My kind of comfort food!!

So, here’s how you make it.

In your stand mixer, combine 3 cups whole wheat flour and the dry yeast.

I like to use instant yeast. It’s a little more potent than active dry yeast and you can mix it directly with your dry ingredients. (Active dry yeast works just fine, but it needs to be activated in a little bit of warm water before being added to the rest of the ingredients. If you don’t properly activate it, it  will result in your loaf not rising as well)

After you have mixed the flour and yeast together, add the hot water, oil, sugar, and salt. Your water needs to be between 120-130 degrees. I use my candy thermometer to make sure my water is the right temp.

Turn on your mixer and mix for one minute.

Quickly add the remaining flour…one cup at a time, until the mixture cleans the sides of the bowl and forms a ball. Be careful not to add too much flour. This will result in tough dry bread.

It should look like this:

Continue mixing for 3-4 minutes.  Ahhh stand mixers…whoever invented them…I love you! I love it when my mixer does all the kneading for me!!

Lightly oil hands and divide dough into two equal portions.

One at a time, roll the dough onto an oiled surface. Roll each into a 12 x 15 rectangle.

Beginning at the long side, roll it up tightly.

Seam side down, lightly pinch and tuck ends under to taper the loaf.

Place the loaves on a gently greased baking sheet…seams down. Use a knife to diagonally slash loaf tops 1/4″ deep.

Beat egg white and water with a fork until foamy. Brush the tops and sides of the loaves. Let the loaves rise until they double in size.

Place in preheated oven and enjoy the smell of bread baking in your kitchen. When the loaves are golden brown, tap them on the top, if it sounds hollow…they are done!

Slice it up and spread on some butter. Mmmm…

{We’re linking up to these parties!}

Dawn

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