Homemade French Bread

Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast or 1 (1/4 ounce) package yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups flour (approximately)

Recipe

• 1 1.in mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. let sit for 5-10 minutes.
• 2 2.add salt and 1 cup of flour. mix together vigorously with a whisk until smooth.
• 3 3.using a spoon stir in enough of the remaining flour to form a dough that is a little sticky, but stiff enough to work with.
• 4 4.knead for 5 minutes, adding flour as necessary. dough should be smooth and elastic.
• 5 5.grease bowl, and return dough to bowl. cover with towel. allow to rise for approximately 1 hour, or until doubled in size. let your dough rise in a warm place (70-75 degrees) and free from drafts.
• 6 6.punch down dough and divide into 2 equal portions. form each half into a long baguette shape the length of your pan. i used a jelly roll sheet. i also twisted my loaves. (you could form into another shape if you’d like, but you may have to adjust baking time.).
• 7 7.cover with towel and let rise for approximately 30 minutes.
• 8 8.bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.