Sweet Honey French Bread

SWEET HONEY FRENCH BREAD

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3/4 cup water
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons olive oil
2/3 teaspoon salt
2/3 teaspoon white sugar
2 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon honey (optional)

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In a large bowl, combine water and yeast. Add the rest of the ingredients until well blended.
Shape into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn once. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled.

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Punch dough down, and divide in half. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into large rectangle. Roll up, starting from a long side. Moisten edge with water and seal. Taper ends. (*OR just pat into desired shape without rolling out.)

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Grease a large baking sheet. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly beat the egg white and brush on. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until nearly doubled.
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With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf.

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Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for 15 minutes. Brush again with egg white mixture (optional). Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until bread tests done. (Can also drizzle extra honey on the bread at this point.) If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Remove from baking sheet, and cool on a wire rack.