Herb French Bread

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Ingredients

• 5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 envelopes dry yeast
• 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions

• 1
  Combine 2 cups flour, yeast and salad dressing mix in a large bowl and mix well.
• 2
  Heat buttermilk, water and shortening in a medium saucepan, stirring continually, just until warm. Add to flour mixture and mix well. Stir in egg.
• 3
  Beat with an electric mixer set at medium speed for 3 minutes, adding enough of the remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic. Place in a large greased bowl, turning to coat.
• 4
  Let stand, covered, until double in size, about 11/2 hours. Punch down dough. Divide dough into 4 portions. Roll each portion into a 20-inch rope. Twist 2 ropes together; seal ends and fold under. Repeat with remaining 2 ropes. Arrange on a greased baking sheet. Let stand, loosely covered, until double in size, about 45 minutes.
• 5
  Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
• 6
  Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Brush with melted butter. Transfer to wire racks to cool.