Bitsy's Kitchen
French Wheat Baguettes
1 package dry yeast
1 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water (divided 105° F. to 115° F.)
3 1/4 cups bread flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
Vegetable cooking spray
1 Tbsp. cornmeal
Dissolve yeast and sugar in 1/2 cup warm water in a small bowl; let stand 5 minutes.
Place bread flour, whole-wheat flour, and salt in food processor, and pulse 4 times or until blended. With processor on, slowly add yeast mixture and remaining 1 cup warm water through food chute; process until dough leaves sides of bowl and forms a ball. Process 15 additional seconds.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead 3 or 4 times. Place the dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85° F.), free from drafts, 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
Punch the dough down, and turn out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 3 or 4 times. Cover and let rest 5 minutes. Divide the dough in half, and roll each portion into a 17 x 9-inch rectangle. Roll up each rectangle, starting with a long edge, pressing firmly to eliminate air pockets; pinch ends to seal. Place each roll, seam side down, in an 18-inch-long baguette pan coated with cooking spray and sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover and let rise 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
Uncover the dough; using a sharp knife, make 6 diagonal cuts 1/4 inch deep across top of loaves. Spray loaves with water. Bake at 400° F. for 25 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.
Yield: 2 loaves, 12 servings per loaf.