Never Fail French Bread Recipes

DIANE'S NO FAIL FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• **Please read recipe notes before beginning if you live in a humid environment!**
• Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water.
• In a separate large bowl combine warm water*, sugar, salt, oil and 3 cups of the flour. Stir well.
• Add the yeast mixture to the warm water-flour mixture. Mix together with large wooden spoon or paddle attachment.
• Add the remaining 3 cups of flour, a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• After all of the flour is added and mixed in, let sit in bowl for 10 minutes.
• When the dough has risen, stir down with a large spoon. If making in a stand mixer, turn the machine on low for a few seconds until the dough is deflated, and push dough to bottom part of bowl with a spatula.
• Repeat 5 times, every ten minutes, for a total of 60 minutes of rising and then punching (or pushing) down.
• Divide the dough in half. Roll each half of dough in a 9x12 rectangle on a floured surface.
• Roll the dough up like a jelly roll (long way). Place the dough on a greased baking pan (jelly roll pan), with the seam side down. Both loaves will fit on one pan.
• Score the bread across the top 3 or 4 times, and brush with beaten egg (if using).
• Let rise for 20-30 minutes in warm place.
• Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes in lower half of oven, until golden brown. Or you may bake at 350-375 convection for 18-20 minutes until golden.

FAILPROOF FRENCH BREAD (BREAD MACHINE)

Steps:

• Place ingredients in bread machine according to manufacturers directions.
• Start machine on dough setting.
• When dough cycle is complete, remove dough with floured hands and cut in half on floured surface.
• Take each half of dough and roll to make a loaf about 12 inches long in the shape of French bread.
• Place on greased baking sheet and cover with a towel.
• Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 450°.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown, turning pan around once halfway during baking.
• Remove baked loaves to wire racks to cool.

NEVER-FAIL CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Butter the bread slices on both sides (use the whole stick), then cut them into 3/4-inch squares. (Leave the crust on.)
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl until foamy, then gradually whisk in the milk.
• Alternate layers of bread and Cheddar in a low 2-quart oval baking dish, starting with the bread and ending with Cheddar (4 layers total). Pour in the egg mixture, and press the bread and Cheddar down into the egg. Refrigerate overnight, covered, so the bread soaks up the liquid.
• About 1 1/2 hours before serving, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bake until puffed, golden and cooked through, about 1 hour. Serve hot or warm.

NEVER FAIL FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Mix first 4 ingredients and allow to cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and add to the first mixture. Mix in flour. Work down with a spoon every 10 minutes for an hour. Then divide the dough into 2 parts and roll each part until it is 1/2 inch thick and roll up like a jelly roll. Let rise until double. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until brown.