Cranberry Orange Artisan French Bread

Ingredients:

• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and honey. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, orange zest, dried cranberries, and salt.
3. Mix the dough: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the activated yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You may need to add a little extra flour if the dough is too sticky.
5. First rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
6. Shape the loaf: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air bubbles. Shape it into a round or oval loaf.
7. Second rise: Place the shaped loaf onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
9. Bake the bread: Once the dough has finished its second rise, optionally slash the top of the loaf with a sharp knife to create a decorative pattern. Then, bake the bread in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10. Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.