bonnie's french bread

How To Make bonnie's french bread

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  Step 1
  If your mixing bowl is cold, rinse it out with hot water and dry it before using so it won't cool off your ingredients. COMBINE INGREDIENTS: In the mixing bowl, add the water, make sure it is at least 120 degrees. (use a thermometer) Add the sugar, the yeast and whisk until well blended. Let it set about 5 minutes.
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  Step 2
  At this point, change the Kitchen Aid whisk to a dough hook. Then add the melted butter and 3 cups of the flour, and the salt and mix well.
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  Step 3
  Add just enough flour from the remaining 3 cups until the dough cleans the bowl. It may need another tablespoon or more of flour before it cleans the bowl. Add it a little at a time. Knead with the dough hook for 8 minutes.
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  Step 4
  Remove the dough hook from the mixer, and let the dough REST on the Kitchen Aid Stand covered for 15 minutes.
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  Step 5
  Pull the dough out of the bowl onto a cutting board.
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  Step 6
  Form the dough into a ball with your hands . Cut the dough in half.
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  Step 7
  I use a medium size cutting board to form the dough into two long loaves.
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  Step 8
  Be sure to grease the pan. I use a double French bread pan to help the two loaves keep their shape, with a sheet pan under it. This sheet pan helps me take the French bread pan in and out of the oven easier. You can also bake the bread on a large sheet pan.
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  Step 9
  LET THE BREAD RISE: My perfect place to let bread rise is in my oven with the light on. I Preheat the oven to 175 degrees, while I am forming the bread, and then turn the oven off .
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  Step 10
  Place the covered loaves on a greased French bread pan on top of a sheet pan, and let them RISE for about 30 to 40 minutes. The bread will rise and double its size. It may even appear to overflow from the French bread pan, but I have never had one do that, yet. :)
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  Step 11
  BAKE THE BREAD: Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 to 50 minutes until light golden brown. Time will depend on your oven and altitude.
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  Step 12
  When the loaves are done, remove them from the oven to a wire rack to cool. Butter the tops to keep them soft. Time to slice and eat a slice while it is hot! Once the bread is cool, store in a ziplock bag. Enjoy!
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