The French Baguette – just hear that and you’re whisked away straight to Paris, walking its quaint streets with a bouquet of these ever so chic, long loaves tucked under your arm. This crusty classic is quintessentially French, perfect for any time – brunch, lunch, or dinner. It rips apart perfectly for a comforting soup or a savory stew, and not to mention making the most drool-worthy sandwich. Trust me, this is one thing that will never let you down.
This recipe I’m going to share is as authentic as it gets, giving you that crunchy outer crust with a tender, airy interior. The aroma wafting through your kitchen will make you swear you’ve turned it into a Parisian boulangerie. You’re gonna absolutely love it darlings!
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 2 loaves
Believe me when I say, grabbing that apron will be totally worth it. So, let’s get kneading!
Ingredients & Equipment You’ll Need
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of bread flour
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon of dry yeast
- 2 cups of lukewarm water
Equipment:
- A large mixing bowl
- A clean kitchen cloth
- A baking stone or a heavy-duty baking sheet
- A sharp knife or a baker���s lame
You’ll notice bread flour – that’s our hidden hero, giving our baguette its classic chewiness. Yeast, of course, giving that airy volume and the salt for perfect seasoning. If you can’t find bread flour, don’t worry, regular flour would do, though it might not give you that same chewy texture.
How To Make French Baguette
1. First things first, prepare your yeast mixture. Dissolve your yeast in lukewarm water. Give it a little stir, and let it sit for a few minutes until it’s frothy.
2. Grab your large mixing bowl and put in your flour and salt. Slowly pour in the yeast mixture and start mixing it.
3. Once you’ve got your dough, place it on a dusted surface and let those arms flex as you knead for about 10 minutes.
4. Place your well-done dough in a greased bowl, cover with the clean kitchen cloth, and let it rise till it’s doubled in size – around 1.5 hours should suffice.
5. Preheat your oven to 475��F (245��C) and place your baking stone or sheet in the middle rack.
6. Now that your dough is ready, it’s time to shape those beautiful baguettes! Divide your dough into two even pieces and roll them out into long bread shapes.
7. With your knife or baker’s lame, score your loaves diagonally around places. This is crucial for that quintessential ‘baguette look’.
E voila! Your fresh, toasty, made-from-scratch French Baguette is ready to steal the show!
Tips For The Best Results
- Don’t rush the proving process. It’s critical for the bread to develop its flavors and texture.
- The scoring on your bread not only makes it look fantastic but allows the steam to escape during baking. So, don’t skip this step.
Storage Tips
- Avoid storing your bread in a plastic bag. This can make the texture go soft. Instead, opt for a bread bin or a cloth bag.
- If you are not going to consume the bread within a day or two, it’s best to freeze it to keep it fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to make my baguette crustier?
A: Brush your baguettes with water before baking and within the first five minutes of baking. This will ensure a super crusty finish.
Q: My baguette turned out too solid, where did I go wrong?
A: It’s possible that your dough was over-kneaded which will make the bread dense and solid.
Q: How do I know when my dough is kneaded enough?
A: When it’s smooth, slightly tacky to the touch, and you can stretch a piece of it into a thin membrane without it tearing, it’s ready.
Q: Can I freeze the loaves?
A: Absolutely yes! Once it’s completely cooled, freeze them in an airtight bag.
Q: How does scoring help?
A: Scoring allows the steam created in the baking process to escape the dough. This prevents the loaf from cracking in odd places and helps the loaf expand evenly.
Nutritional Facts of French Baguette
Per serving (excluding unknown items): 400 Kcal; 1g Fat; 82g Carbohydrates; 0g Cholesterol; 965mg Sodium; 0g Fiber; 12g Protein. It’s low on fats while being high on carbohydrates and proteins!
Well, folks, that’ll be all from that treasure trove! I hope you fall head over heels for this simple yet oh-so-chic French Baguette just as I did! It’s best served warm, with some butter, maybe even some jam for the sweet souls. Perfect for that comfort food night you’ve been planning. So, while I head to the kitchen, why don’t y’all give it a go too? Bon App��tit!
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