French Baguette Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 gall purpose flour king arthur brand is recommended
about 3 1/2 cups, using 'scoop and swipe' method
- 360 gwater
about 1 1/2 cups + 1 tbsp
- 10 gsalt
about 2 tsp
- 3 ginstant yeast
about 1 tsp; also known as quick rise or rapid rise yeast
- 25 ghoney
about 1 tbsp
Directions
- 1
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, cover and let rest for 15 minutes.
- 2
Over a period of 1 1/2 hours, do 3 sets of stretch and folds, flipping the dough upside down after each set.
- 3
Cover the bowl and place in refrigerator overnight for about 12-14 hours.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
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.
- 8
Transfer the baguettes to a piece of parchment paper (see note 3), 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.
- 9
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.
- 10
Remove the water pan, rotate the baguettes, drop the temperature to 450F and continue baking for another 15 minutes or until deep golden brown.
French Baguette Recipe
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About this Recipe
Imagine the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen, a golden crust giving way to a soft, airy interior. This homemade French baguette recipe brings that dream to life, delivering an authentic experience from your very own oven.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its carefully balanced ingredient ratios, featuring King Arthur all-purpose flour for reliable structure and instant yeast for consistent leavening. A touch of honey subtly enhances the flavor and contributes to that desirable golden crust, setting your homemade baguette apart from store-bought versions.
You can expect a French baguette with a wonderfully crisp, golden-brown crust and a tender, open crumb inside. Each bite offers a satisfying chew, complete with a nuanced, yeasty aroma that is the hallmark of well-made artisan bread. This recipe focuses on simple, quality ingredients to produce a truly classic result, perfect for enjoying warm from the oven.
While this recipe uses all-purpose flour for a forgiving bake, experienced bakers might experiment with a small percentage of bread flour for added chew. For the yeast, instant yeast is ideal for its convenience, but active dry yeast can be used by proofing it first in a portion of the warm water. A minimal amount of honey enhances flavor and crust color, but it can be adjusted slightly to your preference.
Warm, fragrant, and utterly irresistible, this homemade baguette is perfect for accompanying any meal—from a simple cheese board to a hearty stew. Slice it for sandwiches, dip it into olive oil, or simply enjoy it as a foundational element of a European-style breakfast or dinner.