- 1 packet yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp yeast)
- 1/4 c water
- 1/2 c milk
- 1 c water
- 4 1/2 c flour
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 1/2 TBS melted butter
- 1 TBS sugar
While the yeast rests, mix milk and 1 c water and heat to appropriate temperature for yeast.
Mix together flour, salt, and 2 tsp sugar.
Add butter, 1 TBS sugar, and yeast mixture to milk-water mixture. Pour liquid mixture into dry ingredients and stir thoroughly.
Cover bowl of dough with a damp cloth and put in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours. (I like to put it in the oven with the oven light on for a little warmth.)
Grease French bread pan very thoroughly. Generously flour counter surface. Pour dough onto floured surface. It will be very goopy. Divide dough in half. Mix enough flour into each half that it can be patted flat without sticking. Pat or stretch each half into an oblong. Roll oblong into a roughly cylindrical loaf and place in greased pan. Make sure the bottom of the loaf has a good amount of flour on it to minimize sticking.
Return dough to warm place to rise until again doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
Put a pan of water in the bottom rack of the oven. Preheat oven to 400.
Put bread pan in hot oven above pan of water and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and bake about 30 minutes more until done.
Loosen bread from pan promptly after removing from oven.
