French Bread

If you are ever in the mood to make some yummy bread, but don't have a lot of time, this recipe is for you! I love that in 90 minutes I have 3 fresh baked loaves of french bread already done. Plus it is delicious! Nice and crusty on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. How much better can it get?!

Start by placing the 1 cup hot water in the microwave for 3 minutes to get it boiling.

Dissolve the yeast into the warm water.

Stir it around until it is all mixed.

Combined the salt, shortening, and sugar in the bottom of your mixer with a fork.

Pour the boiling water over the shortening mixture.

Pour the cold water over the mixture.

Pour the warm water and yeast into the mixture.

Begin to add the flour, one cup at a time.

Let the dough mix on high for 8 minutes.

Let the dough rise in the mixer for about 20 minutes.

Separate the dough into 3 parts.

I don't know why this picture won't turn the right way. Sorry. Anyway, spread each piece out.

Roll the dough up like this.

Then bring the ends over and layer them on top of each other.

Turn the loaf so the seam side is down and repeat with the other 2 parts of dough.

Make your egg wash by whisking the egg until frothy.

Spray a sharp knife with cooking spray and cut 3 diagonal slits in the top of each loaf.

Cover each loaf with the egg wash.

Place the loaves in a warm 170 degree oven and let rise for about 15 minutes. Turn the oven up to 400 degrees. Leave the loaves in while the oven increases temperature. Bake for 15 minutes until the loaves are brown and crusty. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees and turn the pan around. Bake for another 7-10 minutes.

French Bread

Time: 90 minutes

Yield: 3 loaves

Recipe adapted from Jaime Cooks It Up

1 T shortening

1 T salt

2 T sugar

1 cup boiling water

1 cup cold water

1/3 cup lukewarm water

1 T yeast

5-6 cups white flour

1 egg

Place the 1 cup hot water in the microwave for 3 minutes to get it boiling. Dissolve the yeast into the warm water. Stir it around until it is mixed in. Combined the salt, shortening, and sugar in the bottom of your mixer with a fork. Pour the boiling water over the shortening mixture. Pour the cold water over the mixture. Then pour the warm water and yeast into the mixture. Begin to add the flour, one cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the side of your mixer. Let the dough mix on high for 8 minutes. Let the dough rise in the mixer for about 20 minutes. Separate the dough into three parts and spread the dough out. Roll the dough up and then bring the ends over and layer them on top of each other. Turn the loaf seam side down. Repeat these steps with the other 2 parts of dough. Make your egg wash by whisking the egg until frothy. Cut three diagonal slits in the top of each loaf with a knife sprayed with cooking spray. Cover each loaf with the egg wash. Place the loaves in a warm 170 degree oven and let rise for about 15 minutes. Turn the over up to 400 degrees. Leave the loaves in white the oven increases in temperature. Bake for 15 minutes until the loaves are golden brown and crusty. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees and turn the pan around in the oven. Bake for another 7-10 minutes.