Ingredients
Instructions
- Pour warm water into a large, warm mixing bowl.
- Stir in sugar, salt, oil, 3 cups of flour, and yeast.
- Beat vigorously for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in remaining flour until all dry ingredients are incorporated, leaving spoon right in batter.
- Allow dough to rest 10 minutes; then stir down.
- Allow dough to rest another 10 minutes and stir down again.
- Repeat this process until dough has been stirred down 5 times.
- Turn dough onto floured surface.
- Knead only enough to coat the dough with flour so it can be handled.
- Divide dough into 2 parts.
- Roll each half into a rectangle approximately 9x12 inches, and roll up like a jelly roll starting from the long side.
- Pinch ends to seal.
- Arrange on a large baking sheet that has been dusted with cornmeal, leaving enough room for both loaves.
- Cover lightly and let rise at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- With a very sharp knife, cut 3 diagonal slashes on top of each loaf.
- Brush each loaf with beaten egg.
- Bake immediately at 400°F for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from baking sheet and cool on wire racks.
- *NOTE: I have used my Kitchenaid mixer to do all the mixing and it works great either way.