Easy French Baguette

Easy French Baguette

This baguette is effortlessly made using basic pantry staples, resulting in a soft interior and a chewy crust.  I made this for bruschetta.  Another go to recipe in my collection!

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups (450g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 1/4 cups (300ml) warm water

1.  Prepare the Dough: Mix together flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Gradually incorporate warm water, stirring until a sticky dough begins to form.

2.  Knead: Move the dough onto a floured surface and knead for approximately 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.  I make life easier by using a mixer and then knead a few times on the counter.

3.  First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and allow it to rise in a warm location for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

4.  Shape the Baguettes: Divide the dough into two or three equal sections. Shape each portion into a long baguette, ensuring to pinch the seams closed.

5.  Second Rise: Arrange the shaped baguettes on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a baguette pan. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.

6.  Score the Dough: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Use a sharp knife or razor blade to make shallow diagonal slashes across the top of each baguette.

7.  Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and crispy. For an extra crispy crust, place a shallow pan of water in the oven while baking.

8.  Cool: Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

For enhanced flavor, allow the dough to rest overnight in the refrigerator before shaping.

To maintain a soft interior, be cautious not to add too much flour during kneading.

Enjoy! -Christi

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (of 10 per baguette)
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 0.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
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