Bread Machine French Bread

By pammy_k

Use a light touch when rolling and shaping the dough and handle the dough as little as possible.

Ingredients

• Wash:
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cps lukewarm water
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon water

Details

Servings 1

Preparation

Step 1

Place ingredients, except egg white and 1 tablesppon water in inner pot in order listed; let stand 5 minutes. Use DOUGH setting; press START. Dough will be completed in 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove dough from inner pot and place in greased bowl, turning to coat evenly. Cover and let rest in warm, draft-free place, 20 to 30 minutes.

Punch down dough. On lightly floured surface, roll dough with a rolling pin to remove air bubbles. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with long side; then shape into elongated French bread-style loaf. Place on greased baking sheet. Let rise in warm, draft-free place, 30 to 40 minutes. With sharp knife make 4 to 5 diagonal slashes across top of loaf; brush top with combined egg white and water. Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees and continue to bake for 8 minutes. Cool on wire rack.