Easy Homemade French Bread Recipe

In a large bowl, mix together water, yeast, and sugar until the yeast is completely dissolved. Add in salt, oil, and flour. Stir with a large wooden spoon or mixer until it becomes too difficult, then knead for two minutes on a floured surface.Spray a large bowl with non-stick cooking spray and place dough in the bowl. Cover with a dish towel and let it raise until it doubles in size (I usually place the bread in my kitchen window sill where there is sunlight and it's a little warmer. I have found that on cooler days - like in the winter time - it sometimes take a little longer to double in size).Dump dough out onto a floured surface. Cut in half and shape into a smooth, worm-like shape (or a bread loaf shape . . . ha ha!). If you want to get fancy and make your bread look the way that it does in the picture, use a sharp knife and slice about â…“ of the way down into the bread, opening up little cracks about 2" apart. The cracks will separate more as they rise and bake.Place dough loaves on a greased cookie sheet and let rise again until doubled (about 25-30 minutes). Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.Remove bread from oven and rub butter on top.Makes two loaves of french bread.