Easy Make Ahead French Bread
The perfect bread for dinner tonight or a month from now!
Ingredients
- 1 Packet Dry Yeast Approx 2 1/4 Tablespoons
- ½ Cup Warm Water Approx 90-110°
- 2 Cups Hot Water
- 3½ Tablespoons Granulated White Sugar
- 3 Tablespoons Salt
- ⅓ Cup Oil
- 6½ Cups Flour
- 1 Egg Beaten
Instructions
- Dissolve your yeast in the warm water. Mix gently, let sit for approx 7 minutes for the yeast to poof.
- While the yeast is sitting, combine the hot water, sugar, salt and oil.
- Mix in ½ of the flour mixture (approx 3¼ cups).
- Once dough is mixed well, add in the yeast mixture and the remaining flour
- Knead well until dough is well mixed together. Dough will be slightly sticky.
- Set aside in a warm place to rise for 15 minutes.
- Once dough has risen, split dough in to 2 or 3 even parts.
- Roll dough into an oblong, rectangle like shape.
- Roll the dough into a loaf, cut off the ends to even your loaf.
- Tuck in the ends. Use the cut off ends as rolls.
- Repeat these steps with your remaining loaves.
- Brush the beaten egg over all the loaves and the rolls.
- Set the dough in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes, or place on a sheet pan in the freezer for 2 hours if planning on using later. Transfer to a freezer safe bag after 2 hours.
- Bake at 350° for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- If you froze your loaves for later use, let your loaves thaw and rise in a warm place for 3-5 hours prior to baking at 350° for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.