Easy French Bread Recipe

How to make it

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• Combine warm water, brown sugar and yeast in small bowl. Let sit until the yeast begins to sponge (about 10 minutes)
• In bowl of large mixer with hook attachment combine boiling water, butter and salt and stir until butter is thoroughly dissolved. Allow to sit until water cools to medium warm temperature.
• Once water is cooled, gently pour yeast mixture into the butter mixture and stir to combine. Keeping the mixer on a medium/low speed add 3 cups flour 1/2 cup at a time. Let mix for 10 minutes.
• Slowly add in the rest of the flour until the mixture becomes slightly elastic and begins to pull the dough off the side of the bowl.
• Lightly flour countertop and pour the dough out on the surface. Knead, continually adding flour, until dough is no longer sticky, but still very elastic and soft.
• Place dough in an oiled bowl and set in warm oven with plastic wrap gently placed over the top for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
• Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out again onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into three seperate loaves, and shape as desired (I usually make 2 baguettes and a regular bread pan loaf).
• Allow the dough to rise again for about 45 minutes or until doubled in size, and pre-heat oven to 375 F.
• Cook bread for 10-15 minutes, brushing loaves occasionally with cold water or an egg wash.
• Turn out onto cooling rack and allow bread to rest for at least 10 minutes. You should end up with a hard, cripsy crust and a delicious airy center.