Ingredients
2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon yeast
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
5 –5½ cups bread flour – Crusty French Bread 5 min recipe
Directions
- Dissolve yeast in warm water (110 degrees) and sugar in a large bowl; allow yeast to proof or foam (about 10 minutes).
- Add salt, oil, and 3 cups flour; beat for 2 minutes.
- Stir in 2 cups flour to make a stiff dough.
- Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
- Place in an oiled bowl, turn dough to coat all sides, cover and let rise until doubled.
- Punch down and divide in half. – Crusty French Bread 5 min recipe
- Shape the dough into two long slender loaves.
- Grease and sprinkle with cornmeal either a French bread pan or large cookie sheet.
- Place loaves in pan and cut diagonal gashes on top of each loaf (I use scissors).
- Cover and let rise until doubled. – Crusty French Bread 5 min recipe
- Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes.
- Note: You can sprinkle or spray water on the loaves during baking if you want a really crunchy crust.