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Gold Medal® Classic French Bread

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  • Prep 25 min
  • Total 3 hr 30 min
  • Servings 24
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Here's the best for tested and trusted French bread you can make easily at home.
By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Mar 6, 2013
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Ingredients

  • 3 to 3 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour or Better for Bread™ bread flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 package regular or quick active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 cup very warm water (120ºF to 130ºF)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Cornmeal
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon cold water
  • Poppy seed or sesame seed
Make With
Gold Medal Flour

Steps

  • 1
    In large bowl, mix 2 cups of the flour, the sugar, salt and yeast. Add warm water and oil. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to make dough easy to handle (dough will be soft).
  • 2
    On lightly floured surface, knead dough about 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Grease large bowl with shortening or spray with cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover and let rise in warm place 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours or until dough has doubled in size. (Rising time is longer than times for traditional breads, which gives the typical French bread texture.) Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
  • 3
    Grease large cookie sheet with shortening or spray with cooking spray; sprinkle with cornmeal. Gently push fist into dough to deflate; divide in half. On lightly floured surface, roll each half into 15 x 8-inch rectangle. Roll dough up tightly, beginning at 15-inch side, to form a loaf. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Roll gently back and forth to taper ends. Place both loaves on cookie sheet.
  • 4
    Cut 1/4-inch-deep slashes across tops of loaves at 2-inch intervals with sharp knife. Brush loaves with cold water. Let rise uncovered in warm place about 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size.
  • 5
    Heat oven to 375°F. In small bowl, mix egg white and 1 tablespoon cold water; brush over loaves. Sprinkle with poppy or sesame seed. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack; cool.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    If you prefer a more crunchy crust to this delightful bread, spray the loaves with water right before baking and add a pan of water to the oven.
  • tip 2
    Crusty Hard Rolls: Grease large cookie sheet with shortening or spray with cooking spray; sprinkle with cornmeal. After deflating dough, divide into 12 equal parts. Shape each part into a ball; place on cookie sheet. Brush rolls with cold water. Let rise uncovered about 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size. Heat oven to 425°F. In small bowl, mix egg white and 1 tablespoon cold water; brush over rolls. Sprinkle with poppy or sesame seed. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until brown. 12 rolls.

Nutrition

70 Calories, 1 1/2g Total Fat, 2g Protein, 13g Total Carbohydrate, 0g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories
70
Calories from Fat
10
Total Fat
1 1/2g
2%
Saturated Fat
0g
0%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
0mg
0%
Sodium
100mg
4%
Potassium
25mg
1%
Total Carbohydrate
13g
4%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
0g
Protein
2g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
0%
0%
Iron
4%
4%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 0 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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