Easiest French Bread EVER

Combine and stir warm water, yeast, and sugar until dissolved. Set aside.

Combine boiling water, shortening, salt, and sugar until shortening is melted. Cool to lukewarm and combine with yeast mixture.

Add flour, stirring, until dough no longer sticks to side of the bowl. *6 1/2 cups is what I usually use, but you may need to use more or less. Whatever it takes until it’s right.

Let rise until double. Punch down and let rise until double again.

Divide dough in half and roll up each half like a jelly roll. Place on greased cookie sheet. Make about 5 slashes across the top of each loaf about 1/4 inch deep. Let rise until double.

Beat together 1 egg and 2 tbsp. of milk slightly. Brush of tops of loaves. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

*It’s ok if the dough is still a little bit sticky. Bread is better with not quite enough flour than it is with too much.