In the realm of culinary delights, few creations can rival the delectable allure of a golden-brown, crusty French baguette. This iconic bread, with its crisp exterior and airy interior, has captivated taste buds for centuries and remains a staple in both classic and contemporary cuisine. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven with a schmear of butter or transformed into a gourmet sandwich, the French baguette stands as a testament to the artistry of baking. As you embark on your culinary journey to discover the perfect recipe for this beloved bread, let us guide you through the essential steps, techniques, and ingredients required to create a baguette that will transport your senses to the heart of France.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
CRUSTY FRENCH BAGUETTE RECIPE
Steps:
- Measure the warm water in a small bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Set aside and allow the yeast to dissolve and become foamy.
- Measure the bread flour into a large bowl and stir in the salt.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, and stir in the dissolved yeast.
- Add the cool water, a little at a time, while stirring, just until a stiff, shaggy dough (watch the video below to see what this should look like) has formed (you may not need to use all of the water).
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, and gently press it into a rectangle and fold into thirds. Turn 90 degrees and repeat.
- Place the dough in a large oiled bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Allow it to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk (about 1 to 2 hours).
- Divide the dough into 4 equal portions, and shape each one into a long loaf (about 15-inches long and 1 1/2-inches in diameter), with pointed ends.
- Place the loaves on a floured towel, cover with oiled plastic wrap, and allow to rise until doubled in bulk (about 30 to 45 minutes).
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F, and place a pan of water on the bottom rack.
- Uncover the baguettes and transfer to lightly greased baking sheets.
- Sprinkle with flour, and make 4 elongated slashes down each one with a lame, razor, or sharp knife.
- Bake the breads until crusty and brown (in my oven this takes around 35 to 40 minutes). The baguettes should give a hollow sound when tapped.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 28 kcal, Carbohydrate 5 g, Protein 1 g, Sodium 78 mg, ServingSize 1 serving
FRENCH BREAD/BAGUETTE
I got this recipe from Gourmet years ago. The directions are for the traditional way, but with a little help, this baguette could be made in the bread machine with the dough cycle then baked in the oven. You can make one large french bread or 2 smaller baguettes. The relatively large amount of salt in this bread is the secret to a full-flavored baguette.
Provided by Abby Girl
Categories Breads
Time 2h30m
Yield 1 - 2 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a large bowl sprinkle yeast and sugar over warm water and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. With a wooden spoon stir in 2 cups flour until combined. Stir in salt and 2 cups of remaining flour until mixture forms a stiff dough. On a lightly floured surface knead dough with lightly floured hands 8 minutes, or until smooth and elastic, kneading in enough of remaining 1/2 cup flour to keep dough from sticking. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled deep bowl, turning to coat with oil, and let rise, bowl covered with plastic wrap, until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Punch down dough and form into a long slender loaf about 21 inches long and 3 inches wide. Put loaf diagonally on a lightly greased large or 17- by 14-inch baking sheet and let rise, uncovered, about 30 minutes. (Baguette may be made up to this point 4 hours ahead and chilled.)
- Make 3 or 4 diagonal slashes on loaf with a sharp knife and lightly brush top with cool water. Bake loaf in middle of oven 30 minutes, or until golden, and transfer to a rack to cool.
FRENCH BAGUETTE RECIPE
Steps:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl, cover with a plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Over a period of 1 1/2 hours, do 3 sets of stretch and folds, flipping the dough upside down after each set.
- Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight for about 12-14 hours.
- Turn the dough on a lightly floured work surface. Divide into 3 equal parts and shape into rectangles. Cover and let rest for 45-60 minutes.
- Starting preheating the oven to 500F, with a baking stone positioned in the upper half the oven and a bread pan filled with hot water on the bottom rack.
- Stretch each dough rectangle slightly and fold into a cylinder, sealing the seams. Using your hands, roll the cylinders gently stretching them to desired length, about 14-15 inches.
- Place on a lightly floured couche, seam side up. Cover and proof at a room temperature for about 30-60 minutes, or until the dough has sufficiently proofed.
- Transfer the baguettes to a piece of parchment paper, seam side down and dust off excess flour. Using a bread lame, a sharp knife or a razor blade, make 3 scores on each baguette. When scoring, use a swift and firm motion to ensure nice and clean cuts.
- Open the oven, taking caution not to get burned by steam, and slide the baguettes off onto the baking stone. Close the oven and reduce temperature to 475F. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the water pan, rotate the baguettes, drop the temperature to 450F and continue baking for another 15 minutes or until deep golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 158 kcal, Carbohydrate 33 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 326 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
FRENCH BAGUETTES
Great eaten fresh from oven. Used to make sub sandwiches, etc.
Provided by Judy Taubert
Categories Bread 100+ Bread Machine Recipes
Time 1h50m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place 1 cup water, bread flour, sugar, salt and yeast into bread machine pan in the order recommended by manufacturer. Select Dough cycle, and press Start.
- When the cycle has completed, place dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in bulk. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
- Punch down dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll into a 16x12 inch rectangle. Cut dough in half, creating two 8x12 inch rectangles. Roll up each half of dough tightly, beginning at 12 inch side, pounding out any air bubbles as you go. Roll gently back and forth to taper end. Place 3 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Make deep diagonal slashes across loaves every 2 inches, or make one lengthwise slash on each loaf. Cover, and let rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Mix egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water; brush over tops of loaves.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 112.9 calories, Carbohydrate 22 g, Cholesterol 17.1 mg, Fat 0.9 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Sodium 195.9 mg, Sugar 1.1 g
HOMEMADE FRENCH BAGUETTES
Provided by Kelsey Nixon
Time 1h35m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Combine the honey, yeast and 1/2 cup warm water. Stir to combine and let the mixture stand until the yeast is activated and begins to foam, 5 minutes.
- Mix the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl with a dough hook and slowly add in the yeast mixture. Gradually add 1 cup warm water and mix until the dough comes together into a ball that is not too wet (you may not need all of the water). If the dough is sticky, add a little bit more flour. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, 2 to 6 minutes. You can do the thumbprint test: press in the dough with your thumb and it should bounce back when it's ready.
- Form the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly-oiled bowl and cover with a dishcloth, so it doesn't dry out. Let rest in a warm environment until doubled in size, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Punch down the dough and divide it in half. Shape into 2 baguettes by making a flat rectangle out of your dough, then folding the top and bottom towards the middle, like an envelope, and sealing the seam with your fingers. Keep repeating the folding and sealing, stretching the rectangle lengthwise as you go, until it's about 12 to 14 inches long and 2 inches wide. Fold and seal either end to round. Flip seam-side down and place on a sheet pan or baguette pan that has been dusted with cornmeal. Score the tops of the loaves, making deep diagonal slits 1/2-inch deep, cover with a dishcloth and let rise in a warm environment until they have doubled in size, 25 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and position your oven racks with one on the bottom and the other in the middle. Place an oven-safe (non-glass) bowl or pan on the bottom rack.
- When your bread has doubled for the second time, remove the towel and quickly and simultaneously, slide the sheet tray with the baguettes onto the middle rack while carefully throwing the ice cubes into the bowl on the bottom rack. The ice will create a burst of steam that will give you a nice crispy crust. Quickly shut the oven door so no steam escapes. Bake the baguettes until golden brown, 15 minutes.
- Cook's Note: If you have a glass window on your oven, place a towel over it when throwing the ice in, hot glass can shatter if ice touches it.
- Serving suggestions: ricotta cheese and acacia honey.
FRENCH BAGUETTES
Beneath the crisp, brittle crust of a baguette is an airy crumb and a rich, nutty flavor, making it the perfect accompaniment to any meal -- or, in the case of breakfast, the perfect foundation.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Breakfast & Brunch Recipes Bread Recipes
Yield Makes 4
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Working with 1 portion of dough at a time, keeping remaining dough covered, fold dough in half lengthwise to form a tight, narrow log. Gently press edges with lightly floured fingertips to seal.
- Using your palms, roll the dough on a lightly floured work surface until it's about 16 inches long, rolling more firmly at the ends to create a tapered effect.
- Place loaves, seam side down, on a generously floured linen towel or a parchment-lined baking sheet. Fold towel between the loaves to prevent sticking. Cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap, and let rise at cool room temperature until loaves have almost doubled and a floured finger pressed into side leaves a slight indentation, 40 to 50 minutes.
- Place a skillet on oven rack adjusted to lowest position and a baking stone on middle oven rack. Preheat oven to 500 degrees. If using a linen towel, gently turn baguettes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Before baking, use a lame or razor blade to make 3 slashes on top of each baguette. Pour 1/2 cup hot water into skillet in oven. Slide bread and parchment onto baking stone.
- Immediately reduce oven to 450 degrees. Bake until baguettes are deep golden brown, sound hollow when bottoms are thumped, and interiors register 205 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on wire racks. Baguettes are best the day you make them, but they can be wrapped in parchment and then foil, and stored at room temperature overnight (or frozen for up to 1 month; thaw at room temperature before serving.)
4-INGREDIENT FRENCH BREAD BAGUETTES
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Combine the water and yeast in the bowl of an electric stand mixer or standard mixing bowl; let stand for about 5 minutes.
- Add about half of the bread flour to the yeast mixture and mix with the paddle attachment for about 2 minutes, until smooth. If mixing by hand, use a whisk and mix until the batter is smooth and well blended.
- Add the remaining flour and the salt and switch to the dough hook. Mix on low speed until combined, then mix on medium speed for about 10 minutes. If mixing by hand, knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 10 to 12 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Add flour or water in very small amounts if the dough is too sticky or too stiff.
- Oil a large bowl with vegetable oil.
- With floured hands, gather the kneaded dough up into a ball. Place in the oiled bowl; turn over to oil all sides. cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a draft-free place for 1 hour.
- Take the dough out of the bowl, fold it over on itself a few times, then put back in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a draft-free place for another 30 minutes.
- Cut the dough into 3 equal portions. On a floured surface, roll each portion of dough out into a rectangle. Starting at the long end, roll up each rectangle to form a long baguette. Pinch the seams and ends and place in a baguette pan or on parchment paper on a large baking pan. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for about 15 minutes longer (while the oven preheats).
- Place a pan of hot water on the bottom of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
- With a very sharp knife or baker's lame, cut shallow slits along the top of the baguettes before baking.
- Bake the baguettes for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 228 kcal, Carbohydrate 36 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 1188 mg, Fat 7 g, ServingSize 18 servings, UnsaturatedFat 5 g
FRENCH BREAD BAGUETTES
Provided by Food Network
Yield Makes 1-1/2 pounds dough, 2 baguettes
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place all ingredients except for the cornmeal, in the order listed into the bread pan fitted with the kneading paddle and secure in the Cuisinart Bread Maker. Press menu button to select the dough program. Press start to mix, knead and rise. For best mixing results, scrape the pan 10 to 15 minutes after the program has started.
- When cycle is completed, remove dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Punch to deflate and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Divide dough into two equal pieces. Shape each piece of dough into a long narrow baguette and place on a baking sheet that has been dusted with cornmeal. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise 30 to 40 minutes. While baguettes rise, place a pan of hot water on the bottom rack of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.
- Dust dough gently with additional flour. Make 4 diagonal slashes in each loaf about 1/4-inch deep using a serrated knife. Bake bread in preheated oven 25 to 30 minutes until browned and hollow sounding when tapped. Cool on a wire rack. Bread slices best when allowed to cool completely.
MARIANNE BAGUETTE - TRADITIONAL RUSTIC FRENCH BREAD
A traditional style baguette de Campagne - rustic French bread, which is easy to make and has lots of body - it is NOT like the usual light, supermarket produced baguettes of today. This bread can be started off in a bread machine if you wish. Marianne is the national symbol of France; she personifies Liberty, Reason & the Triumph of the Republic. She appears on stamps, government forms, town halls, law courts and the former French franc coins & banknotes; she even appears on high quality Label Rouge Baguettes and Pain!! Therefore, I have called this homemade French Bread/Baguette recipe after her.....it seems only right and proper!
Provided by French Tart
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 1h30m
Yield 2 Baguettes, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Put the ingredients into the bread machine. Set to the dough programme and start. Grease a large baking tray & Pre-heat oven to 220C/400°F.
- Once the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured surface and punch it down to deflate it. Shape dough into two long "baguette" shaped loaves and place on the baking sheet. Cover loosely with lightly oiled cling-film and leave to rise for about 30 minutes until doubled in size.
- Meanwhile, place an oven proof bowl containing water on the bottom of the oven to heat up. (About 250mls).
- Sprinkle top of dough with flour, then using a sharp knife cut 5 diagonal small slits across the tops of the baguettes.
- Bake for 15 minutes then reduce temperature to 190C/375F and bake for a further 10 - 15 minutes. (If they start browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil on top.).
- Transfer to wire rack to cool.
- Eat immediately.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the final product. Use unbleached all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water, salt, and butter.
- Proof the yeast: This step is essential to ensure that your yeast is active and will properly leaven the dough. To proof the yeast, dissolve it in warm water with a little sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until it becomes foamy.
- Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough develops the gluten, which gives the bread its structure and elasticity. Knead the dough for at least 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise: After kneading, let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This will allow the yeast to ferment the dough and produce carbon dioxide gas, which will create air pockets in the bread.
- Shape the dough: Once the dough has risen, shape it into a baguette. To do this, divide the dough into two equal pieces and roll each piece into a long, thin rope. Place the ropes of dough on a greased baking sheet.
- Score the dough: Before baking, score the top of the dough with a sharp knife. This will help the bread to rise evenly and prevent it from cracking.
- Bake the bread: Bake the bread in a preheated oven at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Conclusion:
Making French bread or baguettes at home is a rewarding experience. By following these tips and using a reliable recipe, you can create delicious, crusty bread that is perfect for sandwiches, soups, or simply enjoying with butter. With a little practice, you'll be able to impress your friends and family with your homemade French bread.
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