French Bread

Name: French Bread
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1/4 cup fat-free milk; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 tablespoon reduced-calorie stick margarine; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons); 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; Cooking spray; 1 large egg white, lightly beaten; 1 tablespoon water

11 ingredients

4 steps

Ingredients

1 cup water
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon reduced-calorie stick margarine
1 teaspoon salt
1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
3 1/4 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Cooking spray
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon water

Directions

1

Combine first 5 ingredients in a saucepan; heat until margarine melts. Cool to 105° to 115°. Add yeast to warm milk mixture; let stand 5 minutes. Combine 1 1/4 cups flour and yeast mixture in a large mixing bowl; beat at medium speed of an electric mixer until blended. Stir in enough of 2 to 2 1/4 cups flour to make a soft dough; let stand 10 minutes. Stir dough gently for a few seconds; cover and let stand 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
2

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour evenly over work surface. Turn dough out onto floured surface, and divide in half. Flatten 1 portion of dough into an oval on floured surface. Fold dough over lengthwise; flatten with open hand. Fold again, and roll between palms of hands into a 17-inch rope. Pinch ends of rope to seal. Repeat procedure with remaining portion of dough. Place dough in two French bread pans coated with cooking spray. Using a sharp knife, cut 1/2-inch-deep slits across tops of loaves. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 20 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
3

Preheat oven to 400°.
4

Combine egg white and 1 tablespoon water; brush mixture evenly over loaves. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when tapped.