Unknownchef86's French Countryside Bread (Abm)

UnknownChef86's Note:

This makes a first-rate country French bread in your ABM. My family loves it so much I can't make it fast enough! Makes a 2 lb. loaf. This is also an excellent dough to make by hand. Simply let it raise a couple of times, punch it down in between and bake it off in a 400 degree oven for approximately 30-40 minutes (I don't remember exactly how long). Bread should sound hollow (when tapped) when done.

• Total Time: 4 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 1 loaf

• 1 1/2 cups cold water (yes, cold)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 cups bread flour (if using all-purpose flour, substitute 3 tabl. flour with 3 tabl. vital gluten)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast

Directions:

1. Measure all ingredients into pan in order given.
2. Use French setting and medium or dark crust (depending on your preference and your machine).

Reviews

[Chef1MOM~Connie]

This is excellent. I could not believe cold water but followed exactly and WHOA nelly, thid makes a huge loaf of bread plus. I made a 1 lb loaf of bread plus 8 rolls for dinner sandwich size. The taste is light but fragrant. I followed the AP flour with wheat gluten directions. Thank you so much for those. Will be made often!!! ZWT Kitchen Witches

[Chocolatl]

Cold water? Really?
Cold water. Really.
This is wonderful bread, and makes excellent toast. I used the dough cycle on my ABM, and baked in an oval casserole dish. We ate every crumb within 24 hours, even though the loaf was enormous! Thanks for posting!

[Karen Elizabeth]

This is indeed an excellent bread and so simple to prepare. We loved the texture, and it is great toasted or untoasted. I made it in my ABM this time, and next time will try using the ABM simply to mix the dough, and shape the loaf by hand. Thank you for a simple, wholesome and delicious recipe, UC! This recipe was made in loving tribute to Little Bit.