Wheat Ranch French Bread

Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (110*-115*)
• 1/2 cup sugar, divided
• 2 cups warm buttermilk (110*-115*)
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 2 (1 ounce) packages original ranch dressing mix (or you may just use 1 pkg. dressing mix)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 -4 cups whole wheat flour
• additional butter, melted

Recipe

• 1 dissolve yeast in a mixing bowl with warm water. add 1 teaspoons sugar and let stand for about 5 minutes.
• 2 add the buttermilk(heated buttermilk will apper curdled), butter, eggs, ranch dressing mix, salt, 4 cups of the all purpose flour and remaining sugar. beat until smooth.
• 3 stir in enough remaining flour(all purpose and whole wheat) to form a soft dough.
• 4 turn onto a floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. cover and let rise about 1 hour.
• 5 punch dough down. turn onto a lightly floured work surface and divide into fourths. roll each portion into a 14" x 12" rectangle. roll up jelly roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal and tuck ends under. place seam side down on two greased baking sheets.
• 6 with a sharp knife, make five shallow slashes across the top of each loaf. cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• 7 bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. brush with melted butter. remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
• 8 enjoy!