French Baguettes

Get it while it's hot!

• Ready In: 3 hrs
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 1  cup water
• 2 1⁄2 cups bread flour
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
• 1  egg yolk
• 1  tablespoon water

Directions

1. Place water, flour, sugar, salt and yeast into bread machine and set to dough cycle. Press start.
2. When the cycle is complete, place dough in a greased bowl and turn to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
3. Punch down on a lightly floured surface and roll into 16 x 12 inch rectangle. Cut in half, creating two 8 x 12 inch rectangles. Roll up each half tightly beginning at 12 inch side and pound out any bubbles as you go. Roll gently back and forth to taper the end. Place 3 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Make diagonal slashes across the loaves or one lengthwise on each loaf. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 375. Mix egg yolk with 1 tbsp water and brush on loaves. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.