French Bread

French Bread

  Ingredients

2 1/2 Cups warm water
1/4 Cup sugar
1 Tablespoon dry yeast
6 Cups flour
1 Tablespoon salt
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
Egg Wash: 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 Tablespoon water
Toasted Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix together sugar, yeast, and water. Set aside. Cover and let set for five minutes until yeast is foamy.
2. Using an electric mixer with a dough hook, add 3 Cups flour and salt to the yeast mixture.
3. Mix until the dough starts to come together. Gradually add the remaining 3 cups of flour. Add the olive oil and increase speed until dough clings to the hook and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Uncover and punch down, knead a minute and let rise. REapeat this process a few times over the course of an hour.
5. Divide dough into two equal portions. Roll out to 1/2 inch deep.
6. Roll in the edges like a jelly roll. With a sharp knife, make three slits along the top of the loaves.
7. Cover and let rise until double in size.
8. Preheat oven to 350.
9. With a pastry brush, brush eggs wash onto dough and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.