If you’re a bread lover like me, nothing beats the taste and texture of a good crusty French baguette. And guess what? You don’t have to fly to France to get one. With this crusty French baguette recipe, you can make your own homemade baguettes right in your own kitchen. So, let’s get ready to make some magic with simple ingredients and a bit of patience.
Why Make Your Own Baguettes?
Sure, you can buy baguettes from the grocery store, but there’s something special about making your own. The aroma of the bread baking, the crackly crust, the chewy interior – it’s all part of the experience. Plus, homemade bread is free from preservatives and artificial ingredients. It’s just pure, delicious bread.
Key Tools for Your Crusty French Baguette Recipe
You don’t need a bakery to make great baguettes. But you do need a few key tools. A good baguette pan helps give your bread its signature shape. A sharp knife or razor blade is essential for scoring the dough. And while not required, a baking stone can help achieve a perfect baguette with a crispy crust and chewy interior.
Choosing Your Ingredients
Like all good bread recipes, this crusty French baguette recipe starts with simple ingredients. You’ll need both bread flour and purpose flour, instant yeast, kosher salt, and warm water. Trust me, the quality of your ingredients will reflect in your final baguette.
Working the Dough
There’s something satisfying about working a piece of dough. Start by combining your ingredients in a large bowl. You’re aiming for a shaggy dough – don’t worry if it’s a bit sticky. Transfer your dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until it’s smooth and elastic.
Letting the Dough Rise
Cover your dough with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place. Patience is key here – giving your dough enough rise time is essential for achieving a baguette with a light, airy interior.
Shaping Your Baguettes
Once the dough has doubled in size, it’s time to shape your baguettes. Divide the dough into four ounce pieces and roll each piece into a long, thin baguette shape. This might take a bit of practice, but don’t worry – even if they’re not perfect, they’ll still be delicious.
Scoring and Baking Your Baguettes
Before baking, you’ll need to score the surface of the dough. This helps the bread expand in the oven and gives it that classic baguette look. Bake your baguettes in a hot oven for the best results, until they’re a deep golden brown.
Enjoying Your Homemade Baguettes
There’s nothing like biting into a freshly baked baguette. The crispy crust, the chewy interior – it’s bread heaven. And the best part? You made it yourself. So go on, enjoy your homemade baguettes. You’ve earned it.
Final Thoughts on This Crusty French Baguette Recipe
This crusty French baguette recipe might seem intimidating at first, but I promise you, it’s worth it. With a bit of practice and patience, you’ll be whipping up delicious homemade baguettes in no time. Happy baking!
Homemade Crusty French Baguette Recipe
This recipe guides you on how to make a traditional French Baguette at home. The baguette, with its golden crust and soft, airy interior, is perfect for any dish and occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups of warm water
- 2 teaspoons of dry active yeast
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 4 cups of bread flour
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- Olive oil for greasing
- A handful of ice cubes
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture is frothy.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Stir until the ingredients are well combined and a dough begins to form.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Lightly oil a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a baking dish filled with water on the lower rack of the oven.
- Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll each piece out into a rectangle, then tightly roll up the rectangle lengthwise. Pinch the seam to seal it and tuck the ends under slightly.
- Place the baguettes on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Make diagonal slashes across the top of each loaf with a sharp knife.
- Bake the baguettes in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- For an extra crispy crust, toss a handful of ice cubes into the bottom of the oven right before you put the baguettes in, and quickly close the oven door.
- Allow the baguettes to cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
Ensure yeast is activated before proceeding with the recipe. The dough should double in size after rising. Tossing ice cubes in the oven helps to create a crispy crust.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 120Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 234mgCarbohydrates: 25gNet Carbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 4g