Grandma’s Stories

French Bread
Prep:  60 minutes
Bake:  20 minutes
Total Prep:  1 hour 20 minutes
Servings:  2 loaves

Ingredients:

2¼ cups water
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1 tablespoon sugar
3 cups flour plus 3¼ to ¾ tablespoons
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons yeast

Instructions:

Mix water and margarine or butter in saucepan and heat to 120°.

In separate bowl, add 3 cups flour, yeast, sugar and salt.

Slowly add liquid mixture to dry ingredients.

Add remaining flour and knead until smooth and not sticky.

Set aside and covered. Let rise until doubled in size.

Divide dough in half and shape l each half into a long cylinder shape.

Using a sharp knife, cut three slashes in the top. Cover and let rise again.

Make an egg wash using 1 egg and water mixed well. Brush across the top of each loaf.

Bake in a 375° oven for 20 minutes.

For added decoration, sprinkle sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, poppy seeds or toasted onion or garlic on dough before baking.