French Baguettes

A great easy recipe to make this French style baguette.

Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 cup bread flour
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 tsp yeast
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp water

1. Dissolve the sugar in the cup of warm water, then add the yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes
2. Add the 2 1/2 cups of bread flour and mix
3. Kneed for 2-3 minutes
4. Kneed in the salt
5. Coat with grease (I used butter)
6. Place in a warm location for 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk
7. Punch the dough down and roll out in a 12 x 18 inch rectangle
8. Cut in half so you have 2 12x 9 inch pieces
9. Roll up and pinch the edge so you have 2 12 inch long breads
10. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Make 4-5 deep cuts diagonally across the bread
11. Return to a warm location and allow to rise again.
12. Mix the egg yolk with the water and brush over the risen bread
13. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
14. Put the bread in and every minute for the first three minutes spray the oven wall to cause steam (this will help crisp the crust)
15. Bake for 20 minutes
16. Serve warm or cooled either way you will enjoy!