Fast, Fabulous French Bread
makes 3 loaves
1 1/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup warm water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 Tablespoon active yeast
2 Tablespoon Sugar
1 heaping Tablespoon salt
2 Tablespoon butter
2 Tablespoons Crisco, butter flavored
1 cup cold water
6 cups bread flour
1 egg
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 170 degrees F. In a measuring cup fill 1/2 cup of warm water, stir in 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 Tablespoon of yeast. Set aside, to activate.
Fill glass measuring cup to 1 1/4 cups water. Place in microwave for 3 minutes, or until water is boiling.
While water boils, put 2 Tablespoons of sugar, the salt, butter, and shortening in mixing bowl of stand up mixer.
Pour boiling water over shortening and butter in mixing bowl. Turn mixer on and mix until shortening and butter are dissolved. Add cold water, then add yeast mixture. Add 3 cups of flour into mixer. Using dough hook on your stand up mixer, turn on mixer low speed. When flour is blended in, slowly, add one cup of flour until all flour is mixed in. Once all 6 cups are in, turn on mixer to medium speed and mix for 7 minutes. The dough should be elastic in feel.
Let dough rest in bowl for 5 minutes.
Dump dough on counter. Spray a large baking sheet I used jelly roll pan) with non stick spray. Spray a sharp knife with non-stick cooking spray, and cut dough into 3 equal pieces. Then let dough rest for 5 minutes.
Shape dough before baking: Take one section of dough and spread it out into a rectangle. Just use your fingers, dough will be a little sticky.
Fold one long end over half of dough, then fold the other half over that one.
Then fold each side up over, then turn the loaf over so it is seam side down.
Tuck seams down underneath the loaf, pinch seams shut, shape it.
Place loaf on prepared baking sheet. Repeat it with the other two dough sections. Cut 3 angled 1/2 inch slits onto tops of each loaf.
Crack egg into a small bowl. Whisk until frothy.
Brush egg mixture over loaves, completely cover, make sure you get in slits.
Place loaves into preheated oven and let them rise for 15 minutes. Then turn oven up to 400 degrees F (while loaves are still inside) and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees F and bake for 10 additional minutes.
Remove loaves from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Slice and serve. We like to serve with butter and jam.
Enjoy!
