Failproof French Bread (Bread Machine)

Marie's Note:

This makes two loaves of long baguette type French bread that has wonderful flavor and is so easy to make!

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 2.0 loaves

• 3 ½ cups bread flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (¼ ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 ¼ cups warm water

Directions:

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

Reviews

[Lieutenant Ducky]

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 ; )

[LorenLou]

No lie, wonderful flavor and easy to make! We loved it. Funny, my bread-machine cookbook had a whole list of ingredients, and this wonderful bread basically had just 3! Go with this recipe, for sure!

[PhDBlonde]

I think that I'm having troubles digesting preservatives and some additives in commercial bread. I tried this to see if I would get heartburn from just straight-up flour, water, salt, and yeast. I am not allergic to wheat or gluten so those are non-issues. This recipe came out perfect. I have a two pound machine so I doubled the recipe, cut the load in half, and made 16 servings. The texture of the bread holds up well in the cutting process. In fact, it holds up so well, that I'm able to cut one of the 16 servings in half to make the slices fit in the toaster, and to create sandwiches. With each recipe serving coming in at 200 calories, this is bonus for me. I have a Breadman Ultimate machine, used the French Bread Medium setting, and will use the the darker setting next time. This tastes like real French Bread, and without sugar, eggs, honey or the rest, it's Vegan friendly. Finally, it doesn't set me up to grab the entire loaf because it does not create sugar and fat cravings for me either.

Thanks for the posting
Linda