There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen, especially when it’s a classic French baguette. The crispy golden crust, soft chewy interior, and perfect texture—there’s no comparison to store-bought versions.

While it might seem intimidating to bake your own baguettes, this easy recipe will guide you step-by-step through the process of creating two delicious, homemade French baguettes. Perfect for any meal, these baguettes are sure to impress your family and friends. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Homemade French Baguette: The Best Classic Recipe

Ingredients:

• 500g (4 cups) Bread Flour
• 10g (2 tsp) Salt
• 10g (2 tsp) Sugar
• 7g (1 packet) Instant Yeast
• 350ml (1 1/2 cups) Warm Water

Instructions:

In a small mixing bowl, combine instant yeast, sugar, and warm water. Stir to dissolve and let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.

In another mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and remaining warm water. Mix until a rough dough forms.

Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky. Add more flour if needed.

Shape dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, until doubled in size.

After first rise, deflate dough and turn out onto floured surface. Divide into two equal pieces.

Working with one piece at a time, shape dough into a rectangle. Fold long edges into the center, then roll into a log, pinching seams closed. Roll to about 30-35 cm (12-14 inches) long.

Place shaped dough on a baking tray. Cover loosely with a cloth and let rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 250°C (480°F) with a shallow pan on bottom rack.

Just before baking, pour 1 cup of boiling water into shallow pan to create steam. This helps form a crispy crust.

Using a sharp knife or razor blade, make 3-4 diagonal slashes on top of each baguette.

Place baguettes on baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove water bath pan. Bake 10-15 minutes more until golden brown and hollow sounding.

Transfer baked baguettes to wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips for Perfect Baguettes:

• Kneading: The dough needs to be kneaded for about 10 minutes to develop the gluten, which gives the bread its chewy texture. If the dough is too sticky, lightly flour your hands or the surface, but be careful not to add too much flour as this can make the bread dense.
• Rising Time: The longer you allow the dough to rise, the better the flavor and texture. If you can, let it rise in a warm, draft-free place like an oven with just the light on or a covered bowl on your countertop.
• Steam is Key: The steam from the water bath is crucial for getting that crispy, golden crust. Don’t skip it! You can even spray some water into the oven a couple of times during the first 10 minutes of baking for extra steam.
• Slashing: The slashes on the top aren’t just for looks; they help the dough expand evenly while baking. Make sure your knife is sharp, and use quick, confident slashes.
• Cool Time: Let your baguettes cool completely before slicing. This allows the texture to firm up, making it easier to slice without compressing the loaf.

There’s nothing more satisfying than baking your own bread from scratch. With this easy and delicious French baguette recipe, you can enjoy the taste of freshly baked baguettes right from your kitchen. Whether you’re serving them with a meal or enjoying them with some butter, they’re sure to become a favorite in your household. Give it a try, and you’ll never want to go back to store-bought baguettes!

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