Easy French Bread

Not only is this french bread easy to make, it is delicious! You can easily get two nice sized loaves from this recipe.
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INGREDIENTS

2 1/1 cups warm water

2 pkg yeast

2 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp salt

2 Tbsp oil

6 cups flour

8

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water then add sugar and stir. Stir in salt, oil, and 1/2 of the flour (3 cups). Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon. Stir in remaining flour (3 cups). Allow dough to rest for 10 minutes. Stir down dough. Repeat the resting and stirring until dough has been stirred down 5 times. Turn dough onto floured board. Knead 2 to 3 times, only coating dough with flour so it can be handled. Divide in half. Roll each half into rectangles. Twist up and pinch seam and ends to seal. Place on large baking sheet that has been oiled. With a sharp knife, slash dough at an angle 3 times, about 2 inches apart. Cover with a clean dish towel and let rise 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. (or quick rise in a warmed oven for 30 minutes) Check to make sure it doesn't rise too much. Brush with a beaten egg and bake at 400 F for 20-25 minutes.

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