We love bread in this house – and making your own is so much easier than dragging everyone to the store.
While French Bread is really easy to make, even EASIER is French Baguettes. Not to mention you can cut them up into slices and toast, and spread with Pesto … or, your own spread for a light dinner.
My kids love this so much that I have made 6 loaves in the last 3 days. I think they are a little addicted.. 🙂
- 1 C. Water
- 2 1/2 C. All Purpose, Organic Unbleached Flour
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 1/2 tsp Yeast (Active Dry)
- 1 egg Yolk
- 1 Tbsp Water
- In your KitchenAid, place the water, sugar and yeast.
- Let proof for 5-10 minutes until frothy on top.
- Add the flour and salt and mix just until blended and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, turn to coat all sides.
- Cover the bowl and let it rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes (or, until it's doubled in size).
- Punch down the dough and on a lightly floured countertop, roll the dough into a 16x12 inch rectangle.
- Cut that rectangle in half, to make (2) 8x12 inch rectangles.
- Roll up the halves tightly the long way, pound out the air bubbles as you go and make sure you roll them as tight as you can.
- Roll the ends back and forth to taper.
- Place 4-5 inches apart on your baking mat or greased baking sheet.
- Make slashes across the loaves, 1/3 of the way down, every 2 inches.
- Cover them lightly and let them rise, 45 minutes or until double in size.
- In the meantime, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Mix the egg yolk with 1 Tbsp water and brush the loaves.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until brown.
- (For a crispier crust, place an oven-safe bowl of water on the lower rack of the oven as theoven preheats, and keep that same bowl in there as the bread bakes).
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