Fabulous French Bread

The Joy of Homemade French Bread: A Busy Mom's Baking Adventure

As a working mom, time is my most precious commodity. Between juggling work deadlines, school pick-ups, and keeping a somewhat clean house, the idea of spending hours in the kitchen often feels like a luxury I can't afford. Yet, the aroma of freshly baked bread, the satisfying crackle of a perfectly formed crust, and the pure delight on my family's faces when I present them with a warm loaf? That's a kind of magic I can't resist. That's why I've perfected this Fabulous French Bread recipe – it's quick, relatively easy, and yields truly incredible results.

The key to success with this recipe, I've discovered, isn't some secret ingredient or advanced technique (although the angled slits are essential for a beautiful rise!). It's about embracing the process, finding those little pockets of time to nurture the dough, and allowing myself to be present in the moment. The kneading, the shaping, the gentle rise – these actions are as much a form of stress relief for me as they are a necessary part of the recipe. The quiet moments in the kitchen, with the warm dough in my hands, become a small sanctuary, a place where I can momentarily disconnect from the chaos of daily life.

This isn't just about baking bread; it's about creating a tangible connection with my family. It’s about creating something beautiful, something delicious, something that speaks of love and care. It's about the warm smiles, the happy sighs, the simple joy of sharing a meal together, broken with fresh, homemade bread. And that, more than anything, makes it all worthwhile. The recipe itself is straightforward, but the memories it creates? Priceless. I encourage you to try it. Take your time, enjoy the process, and relish the reward. You might even find, as I have, that the best things in life are often the simplest, the most homemade, and the most lovingly prepared.

Beyond the personal satisfaction, this recipe has also become a surprisingly effective way to connect with others. I've shared loaves with neighbors, friends, and even colleagues, often finding that the simple act of gifting homemade bread opens doors to meaningful conversations and unexpected friendships. The sharing aspect of baking, the act of offering a piece of your heart along with a piece of bread, is profoundly rewarding and contributes significantly to my sense of community. It's a small gesture, yet its impact extends far beyond the confines of my own kitchen.

So, if you're a busy mom, a harried professional, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of simplicity, I urge you to give this recipe a try. It's more than just a recipe; it's an experience, a journey, a testament to the power of creating something beautiful from simple ingredients and even simpler moments. Embrace the process, find joy in the details, and savor the delicious results – both in the bread itself and in the memories you'll create along the way.

The scent of baking bread can evoke memories and feelings in a powerful way. My hope is that each loaf you bake using this recipe fills your home and your heart with warmth and goodness, bringing to mind the quiet moments of creation and the joy of sharing. Happy baking!

Step-by-step

• Preheat oven to 170 degrees F.
• Fill a glass measuring cup with 1 cup of water. Place in microwave and heat for 3 minutes, or until water is boiling.
• In another glass measuring cup, fill it with 1/3 cup warm water. Sprinkle the 1 Tablespoon of yeast over the water. With a fork, stir yeast into the water until yeast is completely dissolved.
• Pour the sugar, salt and shortening into the bowl of your stand mixer. Using a fork, mash these ingredients together.
• Pour the 1 cup of boiling water over the shortening mixture in the stand mixer.
• Add the 1 cup of cold water into the mixer.
• Then pour in the yeast/water mixture.
• Add 3 cups of flour into the mixer, and using the dough hook, turn mixer on low speed.
• With the mixer still on, slowly add in the remaining 3 cups of flour, 1 cup at a time.
• Once all 6 cups are in, turn speed to medium and let the dough mix for 6-8 minutes. The dough should be nice and elastic. Be careful not to over-flour.
• Once the dough is mixed, let it rest in the bowl for 5 minutes.
• Spray a large cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
• After the dough has rested in the bowl, dump it onto the greased cookie sheet.
• Take a sharp knife, spray it with non-stick spray, and cut dough into 3 equal pieces.
• Then let it rest again for 5 minutes. (These resting periods for the dough are needed, so please do it and be patient! It’s worth the wait)
• To shape the dough before baking: Take one section of dough and spread it out into a rectangle. Just use your fingers, you don’t need a rolling pin.
• Fold one long end up over half of dough, then fold the other half over that one.
• Then fold each side up over each other, then turn the loaf over so it is seam side down.
• Use your fingers to tuck seams down underneath the loaf and shape it.
• Repeat with the other 2 pieces of dough.
• Once all 3 sections of dough are shaped cut 3 angled 1/2 inch slits onto the tops of dough.
• Crack the egg into a bowl and whisk with a fork until frothy.
• Spread the egg over the tops of each loaf, making sure to get inside the slits.
• Place the loaves into the oven and let them rise for about 15 minutes (while the oven is on 170 degrees F.).
• Then turn oven up to 400 degrees F (while the loaves are still inside) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and crisp.
• Turn the oven down to 350 degrees F. and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
• Remove the loaves from the baking sheet and allow them to cool a bit before slicing them.
• Enjoy!