French Bread

I had tried several different recipes for French Bread before coming up with my own. I found a great one that I like to use for sandwiches, but not one that I can just slice up and serve with a pasta dish, etc. So I came up with my own. Enjoy!

1 cup warm water
1/3 cup nonfat dry milk (instant or non-instant)
2 Tablespoons yeast
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 tsp salt
3 Tablespoons butter
1 egg
1 1/2 to 2 cups all purpose or bread flour
1 cups fine whole wheat flour
****if you don't want wheat, just do 2 1/2 cups to 3 cups regular flour


1. Put all ingredients in a bread maker and run on dough only setting.

2. After bread maker is done mixing and kneading, let rise 45 minutes to 1 hour.

3. Roll out dough flat into a 16 x 12 inch rectangle

4. Roll up into a 12 inch long baguette. Roll dough up to form a 12 inch long baguette. Roll gently back and forth to taper ends, pinching the ends shut if needed. Let rise again for 30-45 minutes.

5. Place baguette on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Use a spray bottle to spray the bread with water at the 5, 10, and 15 minute marks during cooking. This will help give it a nice chewy crust.