Failproof French Bread (Bread Machine)

"This makes two loaves of long baguette type French bread that has wonderful flavor and is so easy to make!"
 
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photo by limeandspoontt photo by limeandspoontt
photo by limeandspoontt
photo by skiska1987 photo by skiska1987
photo by Maja W. photo by Maja W.
photo by travis5619 photo by travis5619
photo by travis5619 photo by travis5619
Ready In:
35mins
Ingredients:
4
Yields:
2 loaves
Serves:
8
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ingredients

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directions

  • Place ingredients in bread machine according to manufacturers directions.
  • Start machine on dough setting.
  • When dough cycle is complete, remove dough with floured hands and cut in half on floured surface.
  • Take each half of dough and roll to make a loaf about 12 inches long in the shape of French bread.
  • Place on greased baking sheet and cover with a towel.
  • Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown, turning pan around once halfway during baking.
  • Remove baked loaves to wire racks to cool.

Questions & Replies

  1. Can I leave this in the bread maker ,and let the bread maker cook the bread ?
     
  2. I made this but used all purpose flour. Bread rose nicely and got crunchy but was white, no browning occurred. Was I supposed to baste it with egg wash?
     
  3. Hi, so when you say when the dough cycle is complete you mean after it’s done it’s first rise in the machine? Or do I take it out when it stops moving and only do one rise after I shape it into the loaves? Thank you!!
     
  4. Can you freeze the dough for later?
     
  5. I love this recipe. Can I use it to make dinner rolls?
     
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Reviews

  1. This bread is the BEST! The flavor is perfectly balanced, just the right amount of salt, and the crust especially is amazing- slightly crisp, but not in the least bit heavy... I made the bread as instructed. Some people might find it helpful to know that 1/4 ounce package is equal to 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast (I buy my bread machine yeast in bulk). Thanks so much for a great recipe ; )
     
  2. I have made this twice in the last week. The first time the bread tasted great, but it was not like "french" bread. It was good but not crunchy enough. I read in a cooking magazine that you need to spray the bread with hot water just prior to putting it the oven. Then spray 10 sprays all around the oven walls (not the lightbulb!) close the oven wait 30 seconds and repeat. Now that made some seriously crunchy bread! Thanks for the recipe!
     
  3. Amazing crispy crust just as french bread should be! I made two batches of french bread (two different recipes). The first was good, but when everyone got a piece of THIS it was like they were experiencing bread for the first time. Thanks for making grandma look good at the dinner table. All three grandkids quickly ate their spaghetti so they could have more bread. This was a winner and a keeper!
     
  4. I've been using this recipe for a long time, and I just recently learned one way to improve on it. While pre-heating the oven put an empty baking/pie tin in the oven, and boil some water separately. When you put the dough into the oven pour the boiling water into the pan to create steam. Bake for 10 minutes, remove the water, and complete the baking for the remainder of the time - another 5 to 10 minutes or internal temperature of 190-200F. You'll get a really crunchy crust. This bread tastes wonderful! Thanks Marie, for such a simple, delicious bread.
     
  5. This bread is so good. My husband loved it. Thanks for the great recipe. It is so simple to put everything into the bread machine and just finish it in the oven. I didn't have bread flour so I used the all purpose flour and it came out delicious.
     
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Tweaks

  1. It was absolutely delicious and our new fav French bread. I added asiago cheese and 2 heaping spoonfuls of garlic in breadmaker on dough setting. Rolled out into one loaf with softened butter, garlic and more asiago cheese on top. Baked at 350 for 25 minutes asked it was delicious. Super crusty and great flavor
     
  2. Absolutely perfect recipe
     
  3. 1.3 cups water instead of 1.25
     
  4. I added a little sugar o activate the yeast...
     

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I live in upstate New York. I am retired and now have time to enjoy my children, my grandchildren and great grandchildren.
 
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