Abby's French Bread Braids

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 4 3/4-5 3/4 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 2 (14 1/2 ounce) packages dry yeast
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 egg

Recipe

• 1 in a bowl combine 3 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast, mix well.
• 2 in a small sauce pan heat 2 cups water and shortening until very warm.
• 3 add warm mixture to flour mixture, blend on low speed until moistened and then for 3 min on medium speed.
• 4 by hand stir in an additional 1 1/2 - 2 1/4 cups flour to form a stiff dough.
• 5 on a floured surface, knead 1/4 - 1/2 cup flour until dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minute.
• 6 place in a greased bowl, cover loosely with greased plastic wrap and a cloth towel. let rise in a warm place until light and doubled in size, about 45-60 min.
• 7 grease a large cookie sheet. punch the dough down several times to remove all air bubbles. divide the dough in half and then divide each half into 3 equal parts.
• 8 roll each part into a 14 inch rope. braid the 3 ropes, sealing the ends. place on greased cookie sheet. repeat with other dough half.
• 9 in a small bowl combine 1 tbsp water and the egg , beat slightly. carefully brush over the loaves. cover, let rise in a warm place until light and doubled in size, 20-30 minute.
• 10 heat over to 375. uncover the loaves, brush again with egg mixture. bake for 25-30 min or until golden brown.
• 11 remove from oven and cool on wire racks.