My recipe for yesterday’s bake. I think it must be foolproof. My bread has never turned out like this before.
French bread
3 hours

Prep Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time:3 hours
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Ingredients
• 10 ounces all purpose flour (or bread flour) - (2 ¼ cups)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt , plus ½ teaspoon for sprinkling on top
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ tablespoon olive oil , plus 1 tablespoon for brushing over top.
• 6 fluid ounces warm water
• ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
Instructions
• Add the flour, salt, honey, olive oil, and water to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the surface of the water to allow it to dissolve.
• Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix on medium speed until the dough comes together. Remove the paddle attachment and replace with a dough hook and continue mixing until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, 10 minutes. The dough can also be kneaded by hand.
• Remove the mixing bowl from the machine and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise to about twice its size, about 1 hour.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it 4-5 times to expel excess gas and redistribute the yeast. Cover with a dish towel and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Shape the dough into a boule (round ball), an oval, or stretch the dough into a rectangle roughly 6x3 inches to form a baguette. If making a baguette, seal the ends by pinching down with the heel of your hand. Place the dough on a baking sheet and, cover with a dish towel and allow to rise for about an hour.
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• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400° F (200°C). Using the tip of a sharp knife, make 1 largetff slash across the top of the bread loaf. Brush with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle ½ teaspoon kosher salt over the top. When the oven is ready, bake for 18-20 minutes.
