French Bread Braids

I’m somewhat “braid-challenged”, but the photo of these French bread loaves looked so pretty, I had to try them.  The dough was easy to handle, and they are inexpensive to make – they only cost me 88¢ for both loaves!  I do buy yeast in 1# bags, which cuts the cost.  The loaves weighed about a pound each, baked.

I plan to use one loaf for French bread pizza, half of one for roast beef sandwiches, and the remainder for garlic bread.

   French Bread Braids

  4 ¾- 5 ¾  cups  flour, all-purpose (1#  6 1/2 oz)

  1    tablespoon  sugar

  3    teaspoons  salt

  2    packages  instant yeast (4 teaspoons)

  2    cups  water  - heat to 120-125°

  2    tablespoons  shortening (1 ounce)

  1    tablespoon  water

  1    large  egg -- white

Grease cookie sheets (I used parchment paper).

Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. (Or weigh flour into mixer bowl, remove and set aside 1 cup.)

In large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast; mix well.  In small saucepan, heat 2 cups water and shortening until very warm 120-125°.

Add warm liquid to flour mixture.  With paddle attachment blend until moistened.  Add remaining flour.   Change to dough hook.  Knead for 6 minutes.

Cover and let rest about 10 minutes.

Punch down, divide dough in half; divide each half into 3 equal parts (about 6 ½ ounces each).  Roll each part into 14" rope; place 3 ropes side by side on each greased cookie sheet.  Braid 3 ropes loosely from center to each end.  Pinch ends together; tuck under to seal.  Repeat with remaining dough.

In small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of water with egg white, beat slightly.  Carefully brush over loaves (save the mixture).  Cover lightly with greased wax paper or plastic wrap, then a cloth towel.  Let rise until light and about doubles, 15-20 minutes.  Brush again lightly with egg white mixture.

Bake at 357° for 25-30 minutes.  Cool immediately on wire racks.

 "Down Home Cooking and Baking p16-17"

  "Two 1 pound loaves"

Per Serving: 70 Calories; 1g Fat (13.3% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 13g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 6mg Cholesterol; 180mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.
I made French bread pizzas with one loaf and shared the other with Myrna for garlic bread.