Easy French Bread

I found a great French bread recipe which can be used for French Bread, French Baguettes or even sub sandwiches. 

Easy French Bread
2-1/4 teaspoons dry active yeast (1 pkg)
1-1/2 cup hot water (110 degrees F) - divided
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
3-4 cups all purpose flour (plus extra for rolling)

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in 1/2 cup hot water.  Add salt, butter and remaining 1 cup water, and stir until dissolved.  Add flour 1 cup at a time and stir until combined (I almost never use the whole 4 cups, leaning more to the 3 cups).  Pour onto floured surface and lightly knead until no longer sticky but soft.  Place dough in oiled bowl and cover and let rise in warm place until doubled in size (about an hour).  Turn out onto floured surface, cut dough in half, let rest 5 minutes.  Roll each half into a 10" x 8" rectangle.  Roll up from long side and pinch along seam to seal.  Place seam side down onto a greased baking sheet.  Cut 4 or 5 diagonal slits along the top of each loaf.  Cover and let rise again until doubled, another 45 minutes.  Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes.  Thump the bread to see if it sounds hollow and the outside is hard and crisp.  Cool on wire racks.  Delicious for the first night sliced and buttered.  The second loaf is delicious the second night, sliced, buttered and toasted in the oven.  So good!

Yum!