Soft French Bread

This is a new bread recipe that I made this morning.  It said that it is a soft French loaf but it seems more like Italian bread to me.  Which ever it is, it's terrific.
 Mix 2-1/2 C. water with 1 T. of rapid rise yeast.  Add 2 tsp. of salt and 1/2 C. of sugar.  Mix in 6 cups of all purpose flour.  Add a bit more flour if it's too sticky and knead until you have a smooth ball of dough.  Place it in a buttered bowl, cover it and let it rise for 2 hours.

 Cut the dough in half and roll one half out on a floured surface into a rectangular shape.

 Roll it tightly into a long loaf.  Do the same with the other piece, cover and let rise for 1 hour.

 Bake it in a 375 degree oven for 25 minutes, just until it starts to brown.

Place them on a rack to cool.
Brush them with butter.
 The bottom should be golden.


 This recipe makes two large loaves.


Wonderful bread. One of the best I've ever baked.

Comments

WendyFromNY said…
That is some seriously yummy looking bread! Recipe going in my file...
Valerie said…
Going to try it tonight! Thanks!
TARYTERRE said…
i can smell this baking. so good.
Bread is the one thing I do enjoy baking. Another one for my loose leaf. :) Thanks again.