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Julia Child’s French Bread With A Plate Of Daring Bakers!

You got it…that’s what I did with the latest Daring Bakers' Challenge. I stuffed it with chocolate and ate it at 4 o’clock!….Why? Because it was French bread and because it was my favorite snack when I was a kid, that’s why, ahahah!

After the wonderful Tender Potato Bread a few months ago, Mary from The Sourdough and Sara from I Like To Cook bring us French Bread via Julia Child. We were given the challenge at the beginning of the month while my mom was visiting. I went for an enthusiastic "French bread by Julia Child?! Right on!", while mom went for a suspect "Julia Child? Who’s that?!" Ah yes….I had forgotten that Julia Child is to us what Maite and La Cuisine Des Mousquetaires is to you. Precisely: who? what?where? I had not heard or seen one of her shows,or reruns until I moved to the US. I fell in love with her style, her gusto, her love for good food. And yet, it took me until this challenge to ever make anything from her cookbooks. No particular reason really, just that 24 hour days are much too short for me and all the things I want to bake and cook!!

Well, with all the shopping and chatting that we did with my mom, we never got around to make the challenge bread together and it was kind of sad making it after she was gone but the neighbors were really happy when I brought the loot down to our quickly gathering! After a few years of being neighbors we know a whole lot of stuff about one another and they know I put Gertie and Bob, the crazy-going- starters, to good use on the weekend and have plenty of loaves to give extras away. The twins asked that same week when was I going to make French bread again. "Well, funny you ask…right now!" , "can we come and help?" Oh gosh what have I gotten myself into with my briliant ideas?! "Oh well, the house is a mess really, why don’t I call you in the middle and you tell me if you think the dough has risen enough?" That settled it as they love the come check on the small ball that keeps inflating, their favorite part beig the punching and slapping of the dough on the counter to knead it. In one of the later videos of Julia making French bread the chef who is baking with her slaps the dough 800+ times…golly! I usually go 10-15 minutes but I might try the counting method next time!

Anyways…back to the bread. I went for what B. calls the "Naked" approach and no he does not mean me…don’t start the 'eeewwws" before it’s time people! That means without any of the things that I would normally use to make my life easier when baking something. In that case that meant kneading by hand, no pretty and steady baker’s couche, no quarry tiles to simulate a baker’s oven and no steam injection oven like I have at work sometimes (that thing is the bomb!). That brought me back eons ago to my first bread baked in an oven and starring at the brick I pulled out that first time! Why did I tell B. I was going to "Naked challenge" this one ?!!Suddenly I started having visions of bricks coming out of the oven…But no, everything went well, and unlike Julia, I did not wait the recommended 2 hours to cut one loaf open. I love the bread when it is still warm, after about 1 hour or so of cooling time, the dough inside has finished its little extra baking business and you can start eating it up!


For the canvas or couche necessary for the baguettes to keep their shape during their final rise, I used a clean cotton sprayed with water and flour. I let it dry and it became as stiff as an overstarched shirt (but it’s not "real" starch that you would use while ironing). When it was time to move the baguettes on it, I sprinkle more flour and the creased remain in place quite easily like that. I sprayed the bread with water (99 cents sprayer at Wallie World) and baked the loaf and epi on a pizza stone sprinkled with cornmeal. I transferred the baguettes to regular baking sheet line with parchment paper. Both methods gave me the same nice crispy crust and bottom.

I dealt with the steam issue by placing an empty 9x9inch baking pan in the 450F oven, and when the loaves were in I added one cup of water, closed the door and let it get steamy, then I repeated the operation once after 5 minutes, which differs from the recipe slightly but there is an explanation. Past 450F, the heat from my oven sets the fire alarm on within 2 seconds of our opening the door (but you could smoke a brisket right underneath without the fumes setting it off…go figure!), so it was either have my ears bleed three times every 3 minutes or twice every 5 minutes. Don’t rely on my maths but that is one time less….heavenly silence in the neighborhood!!

I would have posted the recipe here but I am afraid to send Blogger to a black vault it is so long. However thanks to Mary and Sara, you can locate it here. And I am fully aware that my Epi is not figuratively "hot"…it did get a little too brown, but I was completely enthralled in an email conversation with Tanna (and not food related for once!!) and completely forgot about it. It was great the very same night, let’s just say it fed the seagulls the next day…

Will I make it again? I probably will but I will give it one less rise and I will reduce the salt by a teaspoon. It seems that we all had different degree of saltiness in our bread this month and it is not surprising given all the different varieties available. The directions may be long but they are there to teach, guide and help. A recipe is a tutorial in many circumstances, especially when dealing with the basics of bread baking as this one does. The active standing time in the kitchen is very small as the dough does not need you to rise away, but it does require patience and attention…give a little love and you’ll get plenty back….

Thank you Sara and Mary for fun challenge and to Ivonne, Lisa and Mary for all their hard work behind the scenes. Go check the other Daring Bakers on this month merry bread dance!

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Comments


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 6:30 am

The canvas sprayed with starch thing is new to me, how fascinating! Your bread looks like it belongs to a shop window..


L Vanel February 29, 2008 um 6:39 am

Wow! Great bread! Even your longbaked epi looks gorgeous.


Katie February 29, 2008 um 6:48 am

Your bread turn out brilliantly. Its going to sound silly but it looks so authentic. I love your 4o’clock snack. Chocolate and fresh bread – yum!


Dharm February 29, 2008 um 7:17 am

Helen, you always astound with your creations! I want, and I mean NOW, some of that choc filled bagueete! Your breads are simply wonderful – and all done 'naked' too!!


Mandy February 29, 2008 um 7:30 am

another beautiful creation, Helen. The chocolate inside the bread makes it look infinitely sexier. 🙂 I don’t have a water sprayer, but I improvise with my….toothbrush. LOL~


Rosa's Yummy Yums February 29, 2008 um 7:58 am

Another great post! Your breads look perfect and I love that first picture! Very tempting!

Well done!

Cheers,

Rosa


Evelin February 29, 2008 um 8:12 am

That certainly does NOT look like a brick!;)

I preferred eating sugar and salt by spoonfuls when I was little. Looking back…I could have eaten bread with chocolate instead. Silly child!


zorra February 29, 2008 um 8:26 am

Yummie, pain au chocolat! I belong to the salty fraction. 😉


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 8:46 am

La baguette, quelle maîtrise !!! Bravo !


La cuisine des 3 soeurs February 29, 2008 um 8:58 am

Encore meilleur avec une barre de chocolat au lait.


Anne February 29, 2008 um 9:41 am

How yummy – I’ll definitely try the pain au chocolat with the ones I have left in my freezer. 🙂


Pixie February 29, 2008 um 9:45 am

All this bread is making me so hungry! Looks fabulous.


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 9:55 am

really beautiful bread!


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 9:59 am

Humm j’avais déjà aimé sa brioche que je fais de temps en temps alors son pain doit être exquis !


Yenping February 29, 2008 um 10:05 am

What lovely bread shapes – beautiful!


Cannelle Et Vanille February 29, 2008 um 10:07 am

Helen, this is the best one I have seen so far. Very impressed! And love the chocolate sandwich. That used to be our afternoon snack when we were kids too!


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 10:43 am

Just perfect! Love the first picture the best.
Mine is out of the oven cooling down, still have to wait to munch on it…


Big Boys Oven February 29, 2008 um 10:51 am

One look I am in LOVE, not wit you but wit your bread! I am lost with words!


Chris February 29, 2008 um 11:22 am

Love your pics! I want to eat the screen, especially you’re lil' snack. Yum!


Cakelaw February 29, 2008 um 12:27 pm

Chocolate makes everything taste better – love the idea of chocolate sandwiched in a baguette!


Gretchen Noelle February 29, 2008 um 12:28 pm

French bread and chocolate I have not tried! I loved your tale of making and baking this. Again, I would love to live next door so I could watch all of these creations happening in real time. Wonderful! I love this recipe, have made it twice and plan to do it again soon!


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 12:59 pm

Bread and chocolate — what more is there? As always, your execution was perfect. I agree about the salt.


Katia Mangham February 29, 2008 um 1:08 pm

I expected nothing less…the bread is beautiful. The photos look great too.


Chibog in Chief February 29, 2008 um 1:15 pm

gorgeous looking french bread!! althoug i would love my fresh bread with nutella spread 🙂


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 1:32 pm

Great Job!! And with chocolate?!?! That couldn’t get any better!


Veron February 29, 2008 um 1:33 pm

And I thought I was the only one who liked chocolate in my bread! Beautiful work with the bread helen!


Anne February 29, 2008 um 2:07 pm

Hmmm chocolate and bread is a brilliant idea 🙂 Everything here are just gorgeous!


Sheltie Girl February 29, 2008 um 2:17 pm

You made so many wonderful breads from this recipe. I agree with you this recipe was so easy to make and so much fun to eat.

Now I’ll have to try spraying a kitchen towel with starch…maybe that would keep the towel from leeching all the water out of my gluten free loaves. Since they won’t have any gluten to make a coat…the "naked" dough likes to bond with the cloth and become Blob-like.

Now…where’s the chocolate I’ve got a new snack to try.

Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go


Sarah February 29, 2008 um 2:28 pm

Gorgeous! Bread and chocolate sonds delightful!


Katy February 29, 2008 um 2:29 pm

yum! i was thinking about spreading mine with nutella, so i appreciate the chocolate sentiment!


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 2:46 pm

Gorgeous! I so want to try this again and get nice brown and tall loaves!


aforkfulofspaghetti February 29, 2008 um 2:59 pm

Totally with you on the 4pm snack. Give me a call if you need any help with it… 😉


Nemmie February 29, 2008 um 3:02 pm

Your bread is gorgeous, and what a fabulous idea – must try it with chocolate 🙂 Great job Helen!


Megan February 29, 2008 um 3:14 pm

After seeing your bread, I kind of want to try again!


Warda February 29, 2008 um 3:24 pm

I think you should open your own bakery Helene. I really do. I am stuned with the pictures and the quality of your bread.


MyKitchenInHalfCups February 29, 2008 um 3:30 pm

Chocolate! How very French! Right On!!
Always a surprise from you: now I’m off to spray my linen lightly with water and then flour it! It’s those small things I love.
I love your continuing adventures with the twins.


MyKitchenInHalfCups February 29, 2008 um 3:30 pm

And you are so right about the 24 hour days!


slush February 29, 2008 um 3:31 pm

Perfect! And your photos are gorgeous too.


myriam February 29, 2008 um 3:34 pm

its so funny. we are so far apart but still seem to share the same childhood memories. white bread with chocolate. we had it every day. isnt it just the best? – i love your bread! yum!


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 3:34 pm

My love, your French bread looks spectacular. I especially love the "afternoon treat" (I say as I eye the small boule I brought into work for lunch today and the chocolate bar for dessert)

Love the "Hot" Epi.

Thanks for participating with Sara and I this month!


Brilynn February 29, 2008 um 3:49 pm

My loaves didn’t get brown enough so maybe if we mush them together we’ll come up with the perfect loaf! However, your 4 oclock snack looks perfect, maybe with a mug of hot cocoa too…


jess February 29, 2008 um 4:01 pm

Absolutely gorgeous!
I didn’t even try this challenge – just too tired to try bread again.


cookworm February 29, 2008 um 4:02 pm

Gorgeous bread, and oh what I would give for that crust! I too love the French bread with chocolate or Nutella. One of the best snacks ever!


Kristen February 29, 2008 um 4:05 pm

Yummy!!! What gorgeous bread! I’ve never eaten bread with chocolate but it’s got to delicious; I mean, it’s bread and chocolate for goodness sake!


Unknown February 29, 2008 um 4:29 pm

As always, your bread is set for the runway — gorgeous!!! I always love to see what you’ve got going in that kitchen of yours…cheers!


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 4:32 pm

Just lovely! And I’m with you on the salt. It sure packed a punch.


Meeta K. Wolff February 29, 2008 um 4:40 pm

What a great looking sandwich! I baked the bread "naked" too as I did not have all that stuff. Yours looks professional but that is expected from you.


Ilva February 29, 2008 um 4:49 pm

My mother taught me to eat chocolate and fresh white bread, she had learnt that when she worked in France when she was young! it’s delicious, next time I make this bread, that’s how I am going to eat it! Thanks!


The Short (dis)Order Cook February 29, 2008 um 4:51 pm

What gorgeous bread! I recently pulled out my copy of "Baking with Julia" and tried something a little simpler (brioche), but I took a look at the French bread recipe and wondered if I could ever attempt it. I don’t think I have the patience. Maybe one day I will attempt. I don’t think it would look this good though.

I like the idea of a nice solid chocolate sandwich!


Gabi February 29, 2008 um 5:07 pm

Beautiful loaves -even the epi and I love chocolate in french bread as a snack too!
x x x


Annemarie February 29, 2008 um 5:52 pm

But how does it compare to the bread you grew up with? I only opted for the pate and bread combo; I should have thought more creatively, as you did. 🙂


Merav February 29, 2008 um 5:53 pm

Oh wow, I am drooling at the site of your chocolate stuffed baguette! Beautifully done as always!


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 5:59 pm

Those look like the loaves of bread I gobbled up while on my honeymoon in Paris! Wonderful job!


Jenny February 29, 2008 um 6:10 pm

Too funny, looks like you and I both digressed back to our childhood. I however went the french bread pizza boat route!

Your bread looks amazing!


Cakebrain February 29, 2008 um 6:16 pm

I never thought of ramming chocolate between sliced baguette. It looks fantastic; like carb heaven.


Andrea February 29, 2008 um 6:36 pm

Your pain au chocolat looks great! We thought it was a bit salty, too, so I’ll use sea salt next time.


Tracy February 29, 2008 um 7:06 pm

Oh, I wanted to bake an epi but I was chicken. Yours looks great!

Luckily I have one boule left over from the challenge. I am totally going to try it with chocolate in it. Yum.


Cakespy February 29, 2008 um 7:31 pm

Really, I cannot decide what looks best. Of course, the chocolatey snack beckons to me…

Truly, an inspiring addition to the challenge!


Lesley February 29, 2008 um 7:46 pm

Beautiful bread Helene. I love your shapes!!


Irene February 29, 2008 um 7:55 pm

That looks lovely! My first bread baking experience was a complete disaster. I was making Challah (Jewish egg bread), and after I had put all the ingredients together, let it rise and kneaded the dough…. I realized that I had forgotten to put in the eggs! Into EGG bread! Oh, it was terrible (and yet, very funny in retrospect!).


Cookie baker Lynn February 29, 2008 um 8:14 pm

Beautiful bread, Helene, of course. And bread with chocolate – yessssss!


Katie B. February 29, 2008 um 8:21 pm

I bow to your genius! French bread with chocolate – I love it!


Suzana February 29, 2008 um 8:32 pm

Brilliant shots! Lovely bread too, of course.


Cheryl February 29, 2008 um 8:55 pm

I still can’t get past the bread with the chocolate. You are a sick woman. The perfect sick woman, my kinda sick woman. I have to try this snack.


Melanie February 29, 2008 um 8:58 pm

Of course your bread looks absolutely professional..like everything you post! And I am on the bandwagon of all others that the chocolate stuffed inside is brilliant.


kellypea February 29, 2008 um 9:00 pm

The chocolate with that gorgeous bread is hilarious, Helene! And how cool about the technique to "starch" the dish towel to hold the dough. Totally excellent! I’ll keep that in mind since I’m bound to try another French bread recipe. Don’t know if I’m up to "slapping it" 800 times, though. Bwahahaha!


Mary February 29, 2008 um 9:25 pm

Fantastic looking bread! I’m sure it would have driven my husband crazy if I baked it "naked". wink wink. 🙂


La Tartine Gourmande February 29, 2008 um 9:48 pm

Ah mais que oui, ca rappelle de bons souvenirs. Super chouette de se replonger dedans.


JEP February 29, 2008 um 9:53 pm

Mmm…chocolate…can’t get any better than your creation!


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 10:46 pm

Beautiful Helen. I have a loaf in the freezer destined to be stuffed with chocolate when my little one gets home from school some day next week!


Jaime February 29, 2008 um 10:51 pm

now why didn’t i think of that? chocolate! 🙂

as always, everything looks great. love how you made multiple different shapes out of your bread…


Chou February 29, 2008 um 11:02 pm

I’m with you on the one-less rise. Although it must help the flavor development immensely.


Anonymous February 29, 2008 um 11:41 pm

Lovely looking bread. You are such a wonder Helene..am a regular visitor to your blogs and u will always be my inspiration. Anything you do turns wonderful…magic tricks eh? The trick on the canvas cloth was brilliant. I need to enhance my blogs..help !!!!!


BitterSweet March 1, 2008 um 12:37 am

I’m in awe… Seriously, these are too perfect to be real! Your skills are beyond enviable, I can’t even imagine how one could make bread so beautifully!


Cynthia March 1, 2008 um 12:42 am

Helen your prose has the feel of me sitting down and having a chat with you. I love it.


Anonymous March 1, 2008 um 1:06 am

Fantastic snack!!!


Elle March 1, 2008 um 1:10 am

Gorgeous bread and the tip about the water and flour 'starch' to shape the couche is great. I was wondering if someone would add chocolate…such a classic addition for a snack!


Half Baked March 1, 2008 um 1:25 am

OMG chocolate stuffed french bread… wow! All your bread looks fab!


Anonymous March 1, 2008 um 1:53 am

I ate some of my bread with chocolate, too. 🙂

Beautiful job!


test it comm March 1, 2008 um 2:29 am

Nice looking bread! I will have t remember to try placing a chocolate bar in some freshly made bread the next time. 🙂


creampuff March 1, 2008 um 2:36 am

Oh, Tartelettey,

Can I be a French kid and eat bread and chocolate at 4:00 too???

(Your bread is beautiful!)


glamah16 March 1, 2008 um 2:36 am

Glad you went the naked approach. My CS just pointed out a chef on TV doing something complicated and said 'See he doesnt need his KA and all that other stuff". That chcocolate looks so yummy. Makes me want to try again and stuff inside while warm.


Laura March 1, 2008 um 2:38 am

Holy Moly they look Yummy!!


Obsessive Foodie or Food Addict….You Decide March 1, 2008 um 2:42 am

Now that is a frickin sandwhich!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a question….I had these wonderful vanilla bean scones. I was trying to recreate w/a scone recipe at home. Do you have any idea approximately how much vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste I could use in a 1 batch recipe of scones before I vanilla beaned myself out….in essence do you have any clue how much would be too much???? You ARE the professional.


jasmine March 1, 2008 um 3:26 am

I hadn’t thought of stiffening the teatowel with water and flour–I just rubbed a lot of flour into the teatowel until I thought it was actually made of flour.

Mmmm…chocolate sandwich….

j


Gigi March 1, 2008 um 4:03 am

Love it 4’oclock chocolate snack! Fantastic french bread!


Unknown March 1, 2008 um 4:10 am

Whaaaat?

*Runs downstairs to slap some chocolate on french bread remnants….*


Allison March 1, 2008 um 4:25 am

Your bread looks amazing!

And I ate mine with chocolate, too! Awesomeness? I think so.


Deeba PAB March 1, 2008 um 4:30 am

Your bread is absolutely GORGEOUS…as I thought it would be. The chocolate takes the cake! Brilliant!!


Susan @ SGCC March 1, 2008 um 4:40 am

I am not at all surprised to see that your bread looks wonderful! Stuffing that baguette with chocolate was brilliant! And, I love the tip about "starching" the canvas. Great job!


Anonymous March 1, 2008 um 4:57 am

Delicious, as always.


Liliana March 1, 2008 um 5:02 am

Your bread looks absolutely amazing! Chocolate and bread? These are a few of my favourite things!!


Anonymous March 1, 2008 um 5:13 am

I’ve seen many baguette posts this week, but your’s is the most brilliant!!!! Bravo to you!


Anonymous March 1, 2008 um 7:22 am

i also took the naked approach! great bread tatrtlette!


Anonymous March 1, 2008 um 7:39 am

Perfect like always Helene! 🙂 Love, love, love the "pan au chocolat"…I will have to do this next time!


Anonymous March 1, 2008 um 9:41 am

J’adore la photo avec les carrés de chocolat !!! Tu avais mis un peu de beurre aussi ? 😉
Une belle réussite en tous cas, félicitations !


Karen Baking Soda March 1, 2008 um 11:40 am

I felt the same about Julia (those ignorant Eurpeans tsk tsk). I loved this recipe though maybe I should educate myself on her. Love your crust, especially the boule!

How did you know? I just spoiled my kids with chocolate bars on home Baked pien Viennoise… and it’s not even 4 yet!


Princess of the kitchen March 1, 2008 um 12:08 pm

y9uor bread looks lovely- no wonder you have 100 comments! well done


Unknown March 1, 2008 um 12:19 pm

now thats some snack!


Anonymous March 1, 2008 um 5:32 pm

Do i see chocolate in the baguette?
hahaha…me love you!
🙂


skoraq cooks March 1, 2008 um 6:00 pm

Great french bread! I especially like the one with chocolate inside the cut 😉 That’s my kinda style 🙂


Joy March 1, 2008 um 8:31 pm

Bread stuffed with chocolate. Oh my GOODNESS! As ever, your baking looks delicious. If I hadn’t given up chocolate for Lent I would be defrosting my spare loaf and getting a bar of Dairy Milk from the corner shop right this minute!


Mindy March 1, 2008 um 8:43 pm

oh. my. goodness.- baguette and chocolate—-That will totally be a reason for me to conquer the baguette one day- soon.

And my god- you descriptions of creating the steam and such are truly inspirational!

Woo!


Anonymous March 1, 2008 um 9:09 pm

YES! i am so happy i’m not the only one who does that. i warm it up some so the chocolate is nice and warm and gooey.

why wait for 16:00 when you can have that for breakfast? (i’ve been known to do that a lot) i like dark chocolates so it’s really good with coffee (or tea). talk about getting a really good start of the day!

by the way, glad i just came across your blog and kudos!


Peabody March 1, 2008 um 9:43 pm

Look at you and all your fancy shapes. I am so boring. 🙂
Simply gorgeous my dear.


Anonymous March 1, 2008 um 10:52 pm

We used to have bread spread with Nutella as a special treat after school on the first day of term. Bread filled with chocolate would have been even better!

Beautiful pictures as usual.


Anonymous March 1, 2008 um 11:19 pm

I’m really tempted by "hot" epi. Quelle merveille!


Jenny March 1, 2008 um 11:20 pm

Oh my those are lovely!
And now my son wants to know if he gets to have a chocolate sandwich when I finally get to make the bread, because afterall, that is how the French intended it, isn’t it? 🙂


Anonymous March 2, 2008 um 2:10 am

What a great post! Your bread looks amazing!


Snug March 2, 2008 um 2:57 am

your bread looks great! wow, i wonder why a chocolate sandwich never occurred to me when it makes so much sense 😛


Aparna Balasubramanian March 2, 2008 um 6:01 am

Great looking French bread! And for me, the chocolate just completes it. Great combination.


Emily March 2, 2008 um 7:25 am

I love chocolate and bread. That really is the perfect snack.

I don’t think it’s too brown; I like it that way.


Eva March 2, 2008 um 7:42 am

Thanks for the hint on how to turn cloth into a couche! I would never have known!


Deborah March 2, 2008 um 8:09 pm

Oh, it sounds like a wonderful snack with a piece of chocolate!! Beautiful job!


Anonymous March 2, 2008 um 11:44 pm

Just wondering, what brand of chocolate did you use?


Anonymous March 3, 2008 um 1:42 pm

Next time I will attempt a more challenging shape – yours look so beautiful!


Kelly-Jane March 3, 2008 um 4:28 pm

Wow, it’s all fantastic! The one with the chocolate though….mmm mmm!


Amy March 3, 2008 um 8:26 pm

Your bread looks lovely! Golden brown on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. 🙂


Venus ~ Vi March 3, 2008 um 10:19 pm

Stunning!

Stuffing French bread with chocolate was unheard of until now! You must be a chocoholic ^0^


Alpineberry Mary March 3, 2008 um 11:29 pm

A chocolate sandwich! Yummy.

It’s nice to know that when I make the bread again in the future, I can wait 1 hr instead of 2 or 3 hrs before tearing into the bread. Great job as always!


Unknown March 4, 2008 um 12:26 am

I just love the epi! The chocolate in the bread reminds me of us topping our "ekmek" with Milky Way spread.


Molly Loves Paris March 4, 2008 um 6:04 am

Your bread with the chocolate looked so good that I went right to the kitchen to make another batch of bread so that I could try that out.


Miss Ifi March 4, 2008 um 6:58 pm

Your bread looks amazing.. well as with anything you make!! and that snack of bread and chocolate, well I might just have to try it sometime soon.
I too found my bread too salty but I thought it was just my fault, so if I make it again I’ll take your advice, actually your post is very informative and I can’t wait to try again the bread with your recommendations (the starching of the linen especially).
You are awesome!! Contrats on your bread.


lina March 4, 2008 um 8:19 pm

Hmm.. French bread with chocolate, that really might be an idea… Got to try! And of course the bread looks perfect 🙂


Barbara March 7, 2008 um 1:31 pm

Great job Tartlette. I love bread and chocolate. When we go on a tramp I stick a piece of baguette and chocolate in my pocket so the chocolate is nicely melted when I’m ready for an energy snack.


Sunshinemom May 18, 2008 um 4:32 am

I came this time through google searching for julia child’s french bread. As always gorgeous:)


Sunshinemom June 4, 2008 um 12:43 am

Helen, I made this bread this week, and am just posting it. Everything was fine except that the crust was harder than any other bread I have made so far – is that the way it is supposed to be? I too found the salt way too much!


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