In the realm of French baking, few creations are as iconic and beloved as the baguette, a long, thin loaf of bread with a crispy crust and a soft, chewy interior. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven with a slather of butter, used to make a classic French sandwich, or turned into croutons for a hearty salad, the baguette is a versatile and delicious staple of French cuisine. This comprehensive guide provides three distinct recipes for crafting the perfect baguette at home, catering to varying skill levels and preferences. The traditional method, with its emphasis on a lengthy fermentation process, yields a baguette with a complex flavor and rustic appearance. For those seeking a quicker option, the no-knead recipe offers a simplified approach that still delivers a satisfying result. Finally, the overnight baguette recipe allows for a more flexible baking schedule, enabling you to enjoy fresh bread whenever the craving strikes. With detailed instructions, helpful tips, and a wealth of knowledge about the art of French bread baking, this guide empowers you to create authentic baguettes that will impress family and friends alike.
Let's cook with our recipes!
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
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 BAGUETTE
This French Baguette is super easy and is going to change your life. It has a perfect crusty outside and tender soft inside, perfect for your bread cravings.
Provided by Alyssa Rivers
Categories Bread
Time 14h10m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Add all the ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and combine with a dough hook. Once combined, cover with plastic wrap and let it rest on the counter overnight, about 12 hours.
- In the morning the dough will be bubbly and wet and large. Flour your hands and counter and gently remove the dough to the floured surface. Cut into two pieces and gently stretch into 12-14 inch rectangle. Gently but snugly roll the rectangles inward to form logs and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Dust generously with flour and cover with a clean dish towel. Allow to rise for 1-2 hours. Once risen use a very sharp knife or a clean razor blade to cut about 4-5 long diagonal slits along the loaf, cutting in about ½ inch.
- In the oven, arrange the racks so there is one on the bottom rack and one in the middle. Place a cookie sheet full of hot water on the bottom rack. Preheat the oven to 475°.
- Be careful of the steam from the pan in the oven, add the loaves on the middle rack. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the water pan and turn the baguettes around. Lower the temperature to 450° and bake for 15 more minutes, until nice and golden brown.
- Allow the loave to cool for at least 5 minutes before cutting into them.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 85 kcal, Carbohydrate 18 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 196 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
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 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.
KITTENCAL'S FRENCH BREAD/BAGUETTE (KITCHEN AID MIXER STAND MIXER
This recipe will make two loaves of the *best* French bread you will ever have, I have been making this for years with perfect results every time, sometimes it is not the ingredients used but the method used that will make for perfect results, this is my way to a create the perfect French bread! --- you will need some cornmeal for the pan and an egg white for brushing on the top of the loaves, also about 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds --- make certain to have the two separated cups of water at the right temperature or your bread will not turn out properly, two .25-ounce packages of yeast will be fine for this recipe --- NOTE use 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon of active dry yeast OR 2 small packages/envelopes of active dry yeast
Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 2h
Yield 2 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Attach the dough hook to heavy duty stand mixer.
- In a small cup or bowl mix 1 teaspoon sugar into 1 cup warm water until combined.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast and mix gently.
- Cover the cup and allow to proof until foamy (about 8 minutes, if the yeast does not foam discard and make again).
- Place 5-1/2 cups flour in the stainless steel mixing bowl along with the salt, sugar and 5 tablespoons oil.
- After the yeast has proofed add to the bowl along with remaining 1 cup warm water.
- Start kneading process adding in more flour a tablespoon at a time as needed to create a soft smooth semi-sticky dough (kneading should take about 8 minutes).
- Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface; cover with a clean tea towel and let rest for 3 minutes (this is important, allow to sit for 3 minutes).
- Oil a large deep bowl.
- Gather up the dough and gently knead into a ball (the dough will come together easily after resting).
- Place the dough into the bowl, then cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for about 1 hour or until doubled.
- Punch down the dough and remove to a lightly floured surface.
- Divide the dough evenly in half.
- Cover both pieces of dough and allow to rest for 5 minutes (this will make shaping the dough easier).
- Roll each dough into about a 9 x 12-inch rectangle, then roll up jelly-roll fashion starting at long edge.
- Seal edges and seam of each loaf.
- Grease a large jelly-roll pan then sprinkle with about 2 tablespoons cornmeal.
- Place the two long shaped loaves onto the pan seam-side down spacing apart.
- Using a razor blade or a small sharp knife slash each loaf 3 times diagonally.
- In a small cup whisk an egg white then brush over each loaf.
- Sprinkle the tops with about 2 teaspoons seasme seeds for each loaf.
- Cover with a clean tea towel and allow to rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
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.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients, especially the flour. Bread flour is ideal for baguettes because it has a higher protein content, which results in a chewier, more flavorful bread.
- Make sure the water is lukewarm, not hot. Hot water will kill the yeast and prevent the bread from rising.
- Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. This will help to develop the gluten in the flour, which will give the bread its structure.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This will allow the yeast to ferment and produce carbon dioxide gas, which will create the air pockets in the bread.
- Bake the bread in a preheated oven. This will help to create a crispy crust and a fluffy interior.
- Let the bread cool slightly before slicing and serving. This will help to prevent the bread from tearing.
Conclusion:
Making a French baguette at home is a rewarding experience. With a little patience and care, you can create a delicious, crusty loaf of bread that is perfect for sandwiches, appetizers, or just enjoying on its own. So next time you're in the mood for some fresh, homemade bread, give this recipe a try.
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