Whole Wheat French Bread

Marg (CaymanDesigns)'s Note:

The original recipe used all white flour but we have found we prefer the half and half. It is a good bread to serve with soups and spaghetti. Preparation includes rise time.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 3 hrs
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 2.0 loaves

• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil or 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups white flour

Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast in water, I add a pinch of sugar, and let rest about 5 minutes or until it begins to foam.
2. Stir in salt, oil and half of flour.
3. Gradually add remaining flour, mixing well.
4. Knead 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
5. Place in greased bowl and let rise until double (1/2-1 hour) Punch down and let rise again until double.
6. Punch down and divide into 1-4 pieces, depending on the size loaves desired.
7. Roll into an oblong shape and then roll up, starting on long side; pinch to seal, forming long thin loaves.
8. Place on greased cookie sheet.
9. Slash top of dough with knife 3-5 times diagonally down each loaf.
10. Brush with water and let raise till double again (about 1 hour).
11. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
12. Use within one day or double wrap and freeze.

Reviews

[djpete]

Great! I am also going to try it with 3 cups WW to 1 cup Bread flour and see how that goes. Try it!

Make sure to not cook it for the full 30 minutes. Even when I made the whole amount of dough the first time, it was done in 25 minutes. I just did half the dough and it was done in 20.

Oh, and my kids LOVE it. They are 3 and 2.

[coljam21]

Made this yesterday and it was delicious! The only thing is that I used all whole wheat flour. Best eaten fresh out of the oven. I'm making it again today. This time I will substitute the oil with butter to help cut on the calories.

[kellib626]

Loved this recipe--I'd been looking for a whole wheat bread recipe to go along with spaghetti night, and now have found it!The kids love it! Used the leftovers for french toast the next day--yum!