French Bread (Bread Machine)

ingredients

1 cup + 2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 tablespoon sugar
1-1/4 cups white bread flour
1-1/4 teaspoon. bread machine yeast

bake it!

Preheat the oven to 400° F.

Place the ingredients in the bread pan in the order suggested by your bread machine instructions. Set for dough cycle.

Remove dough and place on a lightly floured surface.
Cut the dough in half and roll each piece into a thick rope about 10 inches long.
Place the pieces of dough on a baking sheet. I like to use parchment paper on the baking sheet.
With a sharp knife, cut several diagonal slashes in the top of each loaf.
Cover loosely with plastic wrap.

Let the dough rise until doubled in volume which will be 20-30 minutes depending on the warmth of the room.
Remove the plastic wrap and bake for approximately 14 minutes.