Published: by Absolutely Recipes, in the recipes category.

French Baguettes Recipe.

Ingredients:

3 ½ cups bread flour
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1 ½ cups warm water (around 110°F/43°C)

Recipe Instructions:

Activate the yeast:

In a small bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Stir until the yeast is dissolved.
Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy. This indicates that the yeast is activated.

Prepare the dough:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour and salt.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the activated yeast mixture.
Stir the ingredients together until they form a shaggy dough.

Knead the dough:

Flour a clean work surface and transfer the dough onto it.
Begin kneading the dough by pushing it away from you with the heel of your hand and then folding it back over itself.
Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

First rise:

Lightly oil a large bowl and place the kneaded dough into it, turning it around to coat it with oil.
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

Shape the baguettes:

Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release any air bubbles.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide it into two equal portions.
Take one portion and flatten it into a rectangle. Fold the longer sides towards the center and roll it up tightly, starting from one end, to form a long cylinder.
Pinch the seams to seal the dough and taper the ends to create the classic baguette shape.
Repeat the same process with the second portion of dough.

Second rise:

Place the shaped baguettes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a baguette pan.
Cover the baguettes with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-60 minutes until they double in size.

Preheat and bake:

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) during the last 10 minutes of the second rise.
If using a baking sheet, make diagonal slashes across the top of the baguettes with a sharp knife or a bread lame.
Place the baguettes in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and have a crisp crust.
Remove the baguettes from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Enjoy:

Once the baguettes have completely cooled, slice them and enjoy them fresh.
Traditional baguettes are best eaten on the day they are baked. However, you can store any remaining bread in a paper bag or wrapped in a clean kitchen towel to help maintain the crustiness.

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