Homemade French Bread

So I know you can buy a loaf of french bread for super cheap...but sometimes homemade bread just sounds so much better!  I'm also one to avoid having to drag my kids into the grocery store at all costs...especially to get one thing!  So if I have the ingredients and a little extra time before dinner it's worth it to make this bread!  Thanks Raelene for sharing the recipe!

French Bread

2 tablespoons yeast (2 packets)

3 cups warm water

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspooon salt

1/2 cup oil

6 1/2 cups flour, divided

Dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water and set aside.  Mix 2 cups warm water, sugar, salt and oil.  Stir until well mixed.  Add 3 cups flour then add yeast mixture and stir well.  Add 3 1/2 cups more flour and mix well.  Dough will be sticky.  Let rise 1 hour, beat down every 10 minutes.  Divide dough in half.  Roll out on floured surface.  Roll up into a bread loaf, tucking ends under.  Place on greased cookie sheet.  Slightly slice tops diagonally.  Let rise on cookie sheet another 30 minutes.  Bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees.  Brush top with melted butter.  Yields 2 large loaves.