French Bread

This recipe came from my mom. It is a great recipe and it doesn't last long at our house! I like to serve it with homemade pesto and Bubba likes to eat it the next morning with Nutella. This makes two large loaves so I will often half the recipe or freeze the second loaf.

In a liquid measuring cup add:
2 tbs or 2 pkgs yeast
1/4 cup warm water
Pinch of sugar

In a large mixing bowl add and mix well:
2 cups hot water
1/4 cup oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbs salt
3 cups un-sifted flour

Add yeast then mix. Add 3 more cups of flour and mix until incorporated. Add more flour as needed. Dough should be sticky, but not too firm or runny.

Stir down every 10 minutes for 50 minutes. Grease cookie sheet. Divide dough in half. Mold dough to desired length. Let dough rise for 30 minutes. Create splits on top of bread and brush with egg wash, sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds if desired. Bake at 370 for 25 minutes.