Bread Machine Sesame French Bread

Submitted by deborahlee555

"I make this bread often, especially when I want a bread that has a bit more body than a white bread, but not as rustic as a traditional French bread. I think the sesame seeds give it a really nice flavor. It makes about a 1 1/4 lb. loaf. Unfortunately, I can't remember where on the web I found this."

 

• Ready In: 3hrs 38mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Yields: 1 loaf

ingredients

• 7 ounces warm water (14 tbs.)
• 1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine, softened
• 2 3⁄4 - 3 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons yeast
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (toast lightly before adding if desired for a slightly more intense flavor, but it's good either way)

directions

1. Place all the ingredients into the bread machine according to manufacturer's directions.
2. Bake using french bread cycle if your machine has it.
3. If not, use the dark crust white cycle.
4. Start with 2 3/4 cups flour, you might need more depending on a lot of factors.
5. My favorite way to get the texture I like is about 10 minutes into the knead cycle I will pinch a good size chunk of dough between my thumb and two or three fingers.
6. If it feels just moist and some dough sticks to my fingers, it's just right.
7. If no dough sticks, it's a bit dry and add a few teaspoons of water.
8. If it feels too soft and very sticky, add more flour until you get the right consistency after about another 5 minutes of kneading.

Reviews

[Sally]

BRAVO! Even I, doomed at bread making (unless I use the bread machine) managed this one. Followed recipe exactly, used pre toasted sesame seeds. Came out just as shown and expected. I will double the recipe next time tho as it made a very small loaf (set my machine to 1.5 lbs). Thank you for a tasty easy one!

 

[jnspr1]

Great results. So glad I came upon this recipe for using the French cycle for the 1st time on my BreadmanPlus bread machine...Crusty & crispy on the outside; airy & just the right degree of chewy-ness inside. Wonuldn't have thought it possible with a machine. Don't expect to be buying any more French bread in future...Substituted olive oil (we try staying away from butter) & used a combination of dark molasses sugar & turbinado sugar since that's all we've (used 3 heaping teaspoons thinking these are less sweet & yeast may need a little extra to rise properly)...both substitution seem to have worked...Thanks for great recipe.

 

[najwa]

Excellent recipe! I came across the recipe photo and liked the sound of the recipe so I decided to make it .. am I glad I did! I do believe the problem the other reviewers had was that the dough was dry .. I had to add about 4-5 tablespoons more water (My flour is also dry) .. It rose beautifully and is nice and tender, although somewhat on the dry side .. Next time I will add a couple of tablespoons of milk powder .. Thanks for a great recipe charmed! (I hope you like the photo!)

 

[Missy Wombat]

This bread is best hot as it goes quite hard very quickly once it has cooled down. It is a reasonable loaf but not the easiest to cut cleanly. Taste wise it is a reasonable loaf.

 

[Vegas-Lin]

Thanks for the wonderful recipe, it was outstanding!! I decided to try it even after reading marie's fiasco, and sure glad I did. I followed your suggestions on testing the dough and it was more than perfect!!! Can't wait to try your Brisket, thanks again!!!!