Kitten’s Soft White Baguette-Style Bread
You don’t have to bother shaping the dough to fit into bread pans just shape in a ball and bake, the instructions are for a heavy-duty stand mixer but may also be made by hand
US residents use white bread flour, Canadian residents can use white all-purpose flour
Yield one large loaf or 2 small loaves
INGREDIENTS:
1-1/4 cups warm water
1 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
2 tablespoons melted butter or shortening
1 teaspoon salt
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg white
1 teaspoon cold water
sesame seeds, optional
INSTRUCTIONS:————————————————
Prepare one large cookie sheet lined with foil and sprayed with non-stick cooking spray or sprinkled with yellow cornmeal.
Attach the kneader blade to a heavy-duty stand mixer.
In the stainless steel bowl, dump 3-1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon sugar.
Melt the butter or shortening in the microwave for about 22 seconds then dump into the bowl with the flour, sugar and salt.
In a small cup mix 1 teaspoon sugar in 1-1/4 cups warm water, then mix in the yeast; cover with small clean cloth and proof for about10 minutes stirring just once with a small spoon or whisk (if the yeast doesn’t foam discard and start again).
After the yeast has proofed add to the the bowl and start kneading adding in more flour if needed to create a soft semi-sticky dough (careful not to add in too much flour, as this will create a heavy bread, important — stop the kneading about halfway through for 5 minutes to allow the dough to rest).
Knead for about 10 minutes or until dough is smooth.
Remove dough from the bowl and let sit on a very lightly floured surface covered with a clean tea towel for 10 minutes (this is important!).
After the dough has allowed to rest on the counter knead very gently (dough will come together nicely).
Form into a ball, then place into a lightly oiled large glass bowl (I just use the same stainless steel bowl that I made the dough in).
Cover with a clean tea towel and set in a warm place to rise about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Punch down dough and remove to a lightly floured surface.
14. At this point you may cut the dough in half to make two small long breads or keep into one piece for one large loaf.
Using hands shape into a rectangle (no need to use a rolling pin this dough will shape very easy).
Roll up tightly then seal all edges.
Cover the shaped loaf/s with a clean dry tea towel, and let rise for about 30 minutes in a warm place.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a small cup whisk/mix together 1 egg white with 1 teaspoon cold water.
Lightly brush the egg white mixture over the dough, then sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
Bake for 25-33 minutes or until bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
Related posts:
- Kitten’s White Bread
Soft Italian Garlic Breadsticks (Bread Machine)
Kitten’s Soft Tender Pizza Dough
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