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Crispy French Bread Baguette Recipe Easy Homemade Perfect Golden Crust

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This recipe delivers a crispy French bread baguette with a perfect golden crust and soft, airy inside. It’s quick, easy, and uses simple pantry ingredients for a bakery-quality loaf at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 1/2 cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons (one packet) active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups (355 ml) warm water, about 110°F (43°C)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water (1 1/2 cups / 355 ml), sugar (1 tsp), and yeast (2 1/4 tsp). Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour (3 1/2 cups / 440 g) and salt (2 tsp). Make a well in the center and pour in the activated yeast mixture and olive oil (1 tbsp). Stir with a dough scraper or wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size.
  5. Shape the baguettes: Gently punch down the dough and divide into two equal portions. Roll each into a long loaf about 14 inches (35 cm) long, tapering the ends slightly.
  6. Second rise: Place shaped baguettes on a parchment-lined baking sheet or baguette pan. Cover loosely and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy but not overproofed.
  7. Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). Place an empty metal pan on the rack below where you’ll bake the bread to create steam.
  8. Score the loaves: Using a sharp serrated knife or lame, make 3-4 diagonal slashes about 1/4 inch deep across each loaf.
  9. Bake with steam: Place baguettes in the oven. Immediately pour 1 cup (240 ml) of hot water into the empty pan below to create steam. Close oven quickly.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes until crust is deep golden brown and crisp. Loaves should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Remove and cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

Use steam during baking to achieve the iconic crispy crust. Knead dough until smooth and elastic but not overworked. Score dough quickly and cleanly before baking. Let dough rise fully for best texture. Baking stone or preheated heavy pan can improve crust development. Dough can be refrigerated after first rise for up to 24 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: French bread, baguette, crispy crust, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, bakery-style bread

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/crispy-french-bread-baguette-recipe-easy-homemade-perfect-golden-crust/