Easy and Quick French Bread

This is an easy recipe that anyone can make. In the past, I have used an electric bread maker but was not very happy with the results.  The whole process seemed intimidating! Not anymore with this quick and easy French Bread recipe. Enjoy!  Please comment if you have questions; I will be glad to help!

Homemade French Bread

YIELD  3 loaves

TOTAL TIME  1 hour 5 minutes

ACTIVE TIME 45 Minutes / 20 minutes cook time

INGREDIENTS

2 Tablespoons Yeast

1/2 cup Warm Water

2 cups Hot Water

3 Tablespoons Sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons Salt

⅓ cup Oil

6 1/2 cups Flour

1 Egg for brushing on bread

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small bowl, dissolve your yeast in ½ cup warm water. Make sure that your water is warm (not too cold, not too hot). Let proof for 10 minutes.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, combine hot water, sugar, salt, oil and 3 cups of the flour and mix together. Add the yeast mixture to a bowl.
3. Add the remaining 3 ½ cups of flour, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Watch for it to start pulling away from the bowl to know it's ready. Once all of the flour is added, let sit for 10 minutes.
4. Separate your dough into 3 pieces. On a floured surface roll each piece into a 9x12 rectangle. Roll it up like a jelly roll. Shape into a french bread loaf and smooth out edges.
5. Place the dough on a greased baking pan, parchment paper or silicone mat