French Bread

This french bread recipe comes from a friend here in Chicago, and we have been fortunate enough to enjoy it on many occasions. This was my first attempt at making the bread, and although delicious... I have a long way to go in making it look more like french bread. But it wasn't too shabby for my first attempt!

{we used this french bread to dip in our cheese fondue on Christmas night. Delicious!!}

French Bread
{makes 3 loaves}


Mix:
2 Cups Hot Water
2 TBSP Butter
2 Heaping TBSP Sugar
3 tsp. Salt


Proof:
2 TBSP Yeast in
1 Cup Warm Water


When yeast mixture starts to bubble and get big, add to butter/sugar mixture.


Add:
4 Cups Flour and mix


Add:
another 4-5 Cups Flour and mix


Let rise in bowl for about 1 hour, covered. Punch down and divide into 3 balls. Shape into loaves and place on greased cookie sheets. Make small slits with a knife, and let raise 1 more hour, covered. Bake @ 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.


**As a totally random side note: I saw a commercial once for Panera Bread where they told you to spray the inside of your oven and the top of your loaf with water {just from a cheap spray bottle} before you put it in the oven. They said it would create a perfectly browned crust that has just the right crisp consistency. I have no idea if I got the outcome they were talking about, but I tried it and the bread was pretty darn beautiful!