Garlic French Bread

This is probably one of the best loaves of bread I have ever made...it was so good that the family had it gone in the blink of an eye!

1 1/2 tsp chopped garlic
2 Tbsp butter
1 cup warm water
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
3 cups bread flour (plus 1/4 cup if dough looks wet after the first 10 min of kneading)
1 Tbsp yeast
2 egg whites, stiffly beaten

I place all my ingredients in the bread machine, water first, butter , garlic ( you want this away from the yeast) flour, sugar, salt then the yeast. Set it on dough setting. After all the ingredients are incorporated by the kneading blade, add the beaten egg whites. (remember to check the dough for wetness after 10 min and add additional 1/4 cup flour if needed) You can now walk away till your dough cycle is complete.

Do something fun while you wait!

Once the cycle is complete remove the dough from the pan. Lightly grease a baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with cornmeal.

Shape the dough into a baguette. You could also make several smaller baguette's if you chose. Place it on the the baking sheet, cover with a clean dish towel, and allow it to rise until double in a warm, draft free place.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees, place rack in the center of the oven and back for 10 minutes then lower the temp to 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. The bread is done when the top is light brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.

When I removed it I lightly brushed it with butter...cause what is bread with out butter???