Tube French Bread

Tube French Bread

I used 2 tube pans I bought from Pampered Chef many years ago and do not believe they are still available. I did search for 'Pampered Chef bread tubes' and other sources are available if you want to purchase.

1 3/8 cup warm water
olive oil
sugar
salt
4 cups flour
2 tsp bread machine yeast

Place ingredients in bread machine according to manufacturer's instructions.  For mine, the liquid ingredients go in first, Then the dry ingredients except the yeast,  A well is made in the flour to add the yeast.

Spray the tube pans and end covers well with oil. Place one end on each tube.
Process on the dough cycle.  Once completed remove the dough and divide in half.  Place one portion in each of the tube pans.  Place other end on the open end and allow to stand for 20 minutes.  Open the top end cover and remove dough to allow about 2 inches of empty space at the top of the tube.  You can shape the removed dough into some rolls and bake with the tubes.
Replace end cover on the tube pan.

Place tube pans vertically in the oven.  (Standing tall).  Bake about 1 hour.  If baking extra dough as rolls, they will only require about 20 minutes.

Once baked, take pans out of oven and remove the end caps.  Allow the bread to cool 10 minutes in the tubes before removing.   Allow loaves to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting.  The bread will be very crusty and a serrated bread knife works best for slicing without distorting the shapes.