French Baguettes

1. Place flour, 1 cup water, sugar, yeast, and salt into a bread machine pan in the order recommended by manufacturer. Select Dough cycle; press Start.

2. While the cycle is running, grease a bowl and cookie sheet with cooking spray; set them aside.

3. When the cycle is complete, place dough in the greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.

4. Punch down dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 16-x12-inch rectangle. Cut dough in half, creating two 8-x12-inch rectangles. Roll up each half of dough tightly, beginning at a long side, pounding out any air bubbles as you go. Roll gently back and forth to taper ends. Place 3 inches apart on the greased cookie sheet.

5. Make deep diagonal slashes across loaves every 2 inches or one lengthwise slash on each loaf. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 30 to 40 minutes.

6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

7. Mix egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl; brush over tops of loaves.

8. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Editor's Note:

For tips, see our article on Forming and Baking Baguettes.