Bread

Bread Maker French Bread

Prep: 1 hr 30 mins Cook: 22 mins
Tags:
breadfrenchsavory

Ingredients

  • For 2.5 pound loaf:
    • 1 ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon water
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 750g/5 cups bread flour
    • 1 teaspoon bread improver
    • 1 ¾ teaspoons yeast
  • For 2.0 pound loaf:
    • 1 ½ cups water
    • 3 teaspoons olive oil
    • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
    • 2 teaspoons sugar
    • 650g/4 ⅔ cups bread flour
    • ¾ teaspoon bread improver
    • 1 ½ teaspoons yeast
  • For 1.5 pound loaf:
    • 310ml/1 cup + 2 tablespoons) water
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 500g/3 ⅔ cups bread flour
    • ½ teaspoon bread improver
    • 1 ¼ teaspoons yeast
  • For 1.0 pound loaf:
    • 185ml3/4 cup water
    • 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 325g/2 cups + 1 tablespoon bread flour
    • ¼ teaspoon bread improver
    • 1 teaspoon yeast

Directions

  1. Ensure the collapsible paddle is securely attached and in the upright position before adding ingredients to the bread pan in the order listed.
  2. Add very warm water and oil to the bread pan.
  3. Add flour on top of the water; add salt, sugar, bread improver and yeast on top of the flour.
  4. Secure the bread pan inside the baking chamber. Select the CRUSTY LOAF setting and loaf size OR select dough cycle if baking in the oven. Press the START/PAUSE button.
  5. If baking in the oven, after cycle is done, remove dough from pan and shape in a long loaf (or 2 depending on size of recipe); With a rolling pin, roll dough into a rectangle (8 X 13) and then roll up from the long side; pinch the side and ends together. Cut diagonal slices along the top of the loaf about ¼ inch deep. Put a light dusting of cornmeal on the bottom of a baking sheet; Place the loaf on the baking sheet with the seam side down.
  6. Cover with a damp cloth; Let rise for 1 hour 30 minutes in a warm place. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until the top of the loaf is golden brown and has a crisp crust. Brush top of loaf with a mixture of 1 tablespoon water and 1 egg white, if desired, once removed from oven. Let rest for 10 minutes and then serve.

Notes