Crusty French Bread

I have to say...I do enjoy me some homemade bread. 

Just the fact that something that looks like this,

ends up looking like this, is just magical. 

There's also the fact that it tastes even better than it looks.

Like most homemade breads, this recipe is a cinch to make. 

The "time" to make it, is what you need to plan ahead on. 

It's a straight forward recipe with delicious results. 

Crusty French Bread

1 tbsp sugar
1 1/4 c. warm water
1 pkg yeast
1 c. warm milk
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp salt
5 1/2 - 6 c. flour
Cornmeal for dusting

In a small bowl, combine sugar and water. Sprinkle with yeast and let stand 10 min.

In a large bowl mix milk, butter and salt. Stir in yeast mixture and 2 1/4 cups flour. Add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time. Knead 5 minutes. Let rise 1 1/2 hours.

Sprinkle baking sheet or stone with cornmeal. Make 2 loaves; slash the top of each loaf 3 times with knife and let rise 30 minutes. Bake at 400* for 25 minutes.