French Baguettes
Classic long, skinny crusty loaves that are just begging to be smothered in butter and enjoyed warm.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water, warm (between 100-110 degrees)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 16 ounces bread flour (approximately 3 3/4 cups)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/4 cups water, cold
Instructions
- Combine 1/4 cup of warm water with 1 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast and set aside until bloomed and foamy (about 10 minutes)
- Combine 16oz of bread flour and 2 teaspoons of salt into a large mixing bowl
- Form a well in the middle of the flour and add the bloomed yeast
- Stir to combine the yeast and flour and then gradually add 1 1/4 cups of cold water until a dough forms
- Mix until no dry flour remains in the dough and cover with plastic wrap
- Rest at room temperature for 30 minutes
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface
- Using your finger tips, gently press the dough out into a rectangle about 8"x10"
- Fold one side of the rectangle over into the middle, then fold the opposite side over completely
- Now fold the top and bottom portions into the middle
- Place the dough, seam side down, into a large oiled glass bowl
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel and rest in a warm place for 60-90 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and divide into four equal portions
- Roll each portion into a long narrow tube about 14 inches in length
- Place all four loaves onto a towel lined baking sheet (see photos above)
- Cover the loaves with non stick plastic wrap and rest for 45-60 minutes
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and place a deep cake pan half full of water on the bottom rack
- Transfer the loaves onto a parchment lined baking sheet
- Lightly dust the loaves with flour and cut thin diagonal marks across the surface of each loaf
- Bake at 450 degrees for 35 minutes or until they are a deep golden brown
- Transfer the loaves onto a cooling rack to cool
- Store loaves at room temperature tightly wrapped in tin foil (do not refrigerate)