Processor French Bread

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Known as a French recipe, with similar versions prepared across other nations.

Ingredients 8 ingredients

Contains Gluten Read from the ingredients, not verified. Check labels.

Keep children and pets away from the hob and the oven, and keep oven gloves and a lid within reach.

Oven and hot trays. Use dry oven gloves for trays and dishes: a hot tray looks just like a cold one. Open the oven door away from your face and let the first rush of heat out.
Hot sugar. Hot sugar sticks to skin and burns far hotter than boiling water: don't touch or taste it. Keep a bowl of cold water close, and keep children away while it cooks.
Blending hot liquid. Let it cool a little first, fill the blender no more than a third, and hold the lid down with a folded towel. Start on the lowest speed. A stick blender in the pan is safer.
Sharp knives. Cut on a board that doesn't slip (a damp cloth under it helps), and curl the fingers of the hand that holds the food.

Makes 2 loaves
Flour
Generously grease baguette pans.
Combine 1/2 cup warm water with yeast and 1 tsp sugar in small bowl and let stand until yeast is dissolved and mixture is foamy, about 5 minutes.
Combine flour, salt, remaining sugar and yeast mixture in work bowl of food processor. With machine running, slowly begin adding 1 cup warm water. A soft ball should form in several seconds; if not, add a little more warm water. Let machine run 15 to 20 seconds, adding more flour if dough seems too soft.
Transfer dough to lightly floured board and knead with a little additional flour for several turns. Divide dough in half and shape into two cylinders 8 to 10 inches long. Transfer to prepared pans and cut 3 or 4 diagonal slashes in top of each loaf with tip of knife or single-edged razor blade. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
After about 30 minutes, place racks in middle and lower quarters of oven and begin preheating to 450 F. Center shallow pan of water on lower rack. When dough has doubled, place on middle rack directly above water and bake 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 400 F and continue baking an additional 15 minutes, or until loaves are golden brown and have a hollow sound when tapped with finger.
Bon Appetit