Easy French bread

A bread that is quite easy to make yet is very flavorful. Wonderful with soup, loads of butter, and good company.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups boiling water

2 tablespoons yeast

½ cup warm water

½ teaspoon sugar

7 ½ - 8 cups flour

In a small bowl, combine the first 3 ingredients and add the boiling water.  Set aside and let cool to lukewarm. In a large bowl, combine the yeast, warm water, and ½ teaspoon of sugar.  After the yeast has dissolved, add the contents of the cooled liquid into the large bowl and stir.  Add the flour, cup by cup, until the dough forms a ball.  Knead for 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary to avoid sticking.  Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and allow to rise until doubled, about one hour. 

Punch the dough and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. Divide the dough in half.  Roll each half out to 12” x 15”. Form the loaf by rolling up, starting at the 15” edge. Tuck ends under, and set on greased cookie sheet.   Make 4-5 diagonal slashes on top. Cover with a cloth and allow to rise.

Heat oven to 400 degrees while the loaves are rising. Just before placing in the oven, brush the top of each loaf with either 1 egg, beaten, mixed with 2 tablespoons of milk, or some melted butter. 

Bake for 20 minutes.  Let it cool before serving if you can bear to wait.