french baguettes

* 1 cup warm Water
* 2-½ cups Bread Flour ( I used regular unbleached flour)
* 1 Tablespoon White Sugar
* 1 teaspoon Salt
* 1-½ teaspoon Active Dry Yeast
* 1 whole Egg Yolk
* 1 Tablespoon Water

Combine water, flour, sugar, salt and yeast in mixer with dough attachment. Mix for 5 min. Transfer to oiled bowl and let rise for about 30 min. Punch down.
Roll out to a rectangle app. 16x12. cut in half so you have a 8x12. starting at the 12" side roll up tightly (like cinnamon rolls) pushing out any air pockets. once rolled, roll ends in and pinch together.
Put the baguettes on a cookie sheet and make cross cuts about 2 inches apart going down the baguette. Let rise another 30 - 40.

Bake at 375 for 20-25 min until golden brown.

*option: you can put an egg wash(1 whole egg yoke and 1 T. water) on the top before you bake or a little olive oil spread on top. I forgot, but it was still great! *I did this the 2nd time I made it and it was for sure better! gives it a yummy crust*