Baguette Recipe

The aroma of fresh-baked baguette fills the kitchen, transporting you straight to a charming Parisian café. This simple yet elegant bread boasts a crispy crust and a soft, airy interior, perfect for pairing with a variety of meals or enjoying on its own. Making a baguette at home is not only a rewarding experience, but it also allows you to customize your bread with your favorite flavors. Whether it’s a family dinner or a special gathering, homemade baguettes will impress your guests and elevate any occasion.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Servings: 2 loaves
• Difficulty Level: Medium

Nutrition Information

• Calories per serving: Approximately 150
• Protein: 5 grams
• Carbohydrates: 30 grams
• Fat: 0.5 grams
• Fiber: 1 gram
• Sugar: 0 grams
• Sodium: 200 mg

Why Make This Baguette

Making baguettes at home is a delightful culinary adventure that brings warmth and comfort to your kitchen. The crisp crust and tender, chewy inside are hard to beat when compared to store-bought versions. Plus, knowing exactly what goes into your bread can make it feel even more special. It’s a great way to impress family and friends, plus your kitchen will smell divine as the baguettes bake!

How to Make Baguette

This traditional baguette recipe is straightforward, and with a little patience, you’ll have fresh loaves to enjoy. The key is to allow the dough to rise properly, which not only enhances the flavor but also gives it that wonderful texture.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast

Directions

Step 1: Preparation

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it is frothy.

Step 2: Mixing

• Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms. It should be slightly sticky but manageable.

Step 3: Kneading

• Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

Step 4: Rising

• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, which will take about 1 hour.

Step 5: Preheating

• Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) while the dough is rising.

Step 6: Shaping

• Once risen, punch down the dough to release the air. Divide it into 2 equal pieces and shape each piece into a long, slender loaf.

Step 7: Second Rising

• Place the loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rise for another 30 minutes.

Step 8: Scoring

• Right before baking, make diagonal slashes on top of the loaves with a sharp knife for that classic baguette look.

Step 9: Baking

• Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and the crust is crusty to the touch.

Step 10: Cooling

• Let the baguettes cool on a wire rack before slicing into them.

How to Serve Baguette

Enjoy your freshly baked baguette sliced with a pat of butter or olive oil. It’s perfect for dipping into soups or serving alongside a cheese platter. For a heartier meal, use it to make delicious sandwiches or choose classic French recipes like a croque monsieur.

How to Store Baguette

To maintain freshness, store your baguettes at room temperature, wrapped in a clean kitchen towel. They can be enjoyed for up to 2 days this way. For longer storage, slice and freeze your baguette, then toast slices directly from the freezer for a quick treat!

Expert Tips for Perfect Baguette

• Dough Temperature: Ensure your water is not too hot when activating the yeast. It should feel warm to the touch (about 110°F or 43°C).
• Flouring Surface: Make sure your kneading surface is lightly floured to prevent sticking, but don’t use too much flour, or your dough will become dense.
• Steam in the Oven: For a crustier exterior, place a pan with water in the bottom of the oven while baking, creating steam.
• Timing: Keep an eye on the bread during the last few minutes of baking. Every oven is different, and you want that perfect golden-brown color.

Delicious Variations

• Herb Baguette: Add 2 tablespoons of dried herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for a fragrant twist.
• Cheese and Garlic Baguette: Mix in minced garlic and shredded cheese into the dough for a savory flavor.
• Whole Wheat Baguette: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast? Yes, you can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast. Do not dissolve instant yeast in water first. Simply mix it directly with the dry ingredients.
• Why is my dough not rising? Possible reasons include using water that’s too hot or cold, or that the yeast is expired. Check the yeast’s freshness and use lukewarm water.
• What if I don’t have a baking sheet? You can use a pizza stone if you have one or any flat oven-safe pan. Just make sure it’s lined with parchment paper.
• Can I make the dough ahead of time? Absolutely. You can prepare the dough, let it rise, and then refrigerate it overnight. Bring it back to room temperature before shaping and baking.
• Why does my baguette have a tough crust? A tough crust may occur if the dough is over-kneaded or if it is baked for too long. Keeping an eye on time ensures a perfectly crispy outer layer without being tough.

Conclusion

Baking your own baguette is an essential skill that enriches your culinary repertoire. The satisfaction of pulling warm, crusty loaves from the oven is unmatched. Whether you’re enjoying it with butter, soup, or as part of a gourmet sandwich, this baguette is sure to become a staple in your home. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to impress everyone with your baking prowess!

Homemade Baguette

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• Author: mia-harper
• Total Time: 95 minutes
• Yield: 2 loaves 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A delightful homemade baguette with a crispy crust and soft, airy interior, perfect for pairing with meals or enjoyed on its own.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
6. Punch down the dough and divide it into 2 equal pieces. Shape each into a long loaf.
7. Place the loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment and let rise for another 30 minutes.
8. Make diagonal slashes on top of the loaves with a sharp knife.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
10. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

For a crustier exterior, place a pan with water in the oven while baking. Store baguettes at room temperature, wrapped in a clean towel, for up to 2 days.

• Prep Time: 70 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 0.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 0mg