French Bread

Summary

Ingredients

• 1 C boiling water
• 1/3 C warm water
• 1 Tbsp yeast
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1 Tbsp shortening
• 1 C cold water
• 5-6 C flour
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 170.
2. Heat 1 C water until boiling.
3. While that’s heating, put 1/3 cup warm water into glass measuring cup and sprinkle 1 Tbsp yeast over the top. Stir and then allow yeast to activate.
4. Place 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp salt, and 1 Tbsp shortening in stand mixer and mash together with a fork.
5. Pour the boiling water over the sugar/shortening mixture. Add 1 C cold water, then pour the yeast/water mixture in as well.
6. Add 2 C flour and turn mixer on low. While mixer is going, add remaining 3-4 C flour 1 C at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Allow to mix for 6-8 minutes. Let dough rest for about 5 minutes.
7. Spray a large cookie sheet and a large knife with Pam. Dump dough onto cookie sheet and cut into 3 equal parts. Allow to rest for another 5 minutes.
8. Take one section of dough and spread it out into a rectangle. Roll both long ends up and over one another then bring the sides up and turn over so the flat side is on top and the seam side is on the bottom. Tuck the seams under the loaves.
9. Cut 3-4 angled slits in each loaf. Whisk an egg in a small bowl and spread over each loaf.
10. Put loaves in the oven and let rise for about 15 minutes, or until they are doubled in size.
11. Turn oven up to 400 degrees. Allow loaves to bake for 15-20 minutes, or until tops are golden and crisp.
12. Turn oven down to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
13. Remove immediately from pan and allow to cool.