French Bread

This bread is fabulous with soup. We have it every Christmas Eve when I go home to Oklahoma.

French Bread:


2 ½ cups warm water
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp salt
2 tbsp oil
6 cups flour
2 pkgs yeast

In large bowl, put water, sugar, salt, oil, 3 cups flour, & yeast. Mix well. Then add 3 cups flour. Let rest for 10 minutes. Stir again. Do this five times. Turn dough onto floured counter. Divide into 2 parts in 12 x 9 inch pan. Roll up sides & pinch ends. Place on greased cookie sheet that has a sprinkling of cornmeal on it. Cover lightly & let rise for 30 minutes. Beat one egg & brush entire surface of bread with it. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.