Classic French Baguette

Elevate your baking skills with this classic French Baguette recipe. Enjoy the process of creating a crispy golden crust and a soft, airy interior that will transport you to the streets of Paris.

Ingredients

1	tablespoon yeast
1 ½	cups warm water, divided
1	tablespoon sugar
2	teaspoons salt
1	tablespoon vegetable oil
4	flour

Instructions

• Preparation and Rising

  1. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water in a mixing bowl.
  2. Add sugar, salt, vegetable oil, and the remaining water; stir until fully dissolved.
  3. Gradually add flour, stirring until a smooth dough forms. Add extra flour if needed to achieve a soft but non-sticky dough. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl.
  4. Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. Then, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface.
  5. Divide the dough into two equal halves and let them rest for 10 minutes.

• Shaping and Baking

  1. Roll each half of the dough into a 15-inch long cylinder, resembling a traditional French baguette. Place both dough cylinders on a greased cookie sheet.
  2. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rise again until doubled in size, approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  3. Using a sharp knife, make three diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf to allow for proper expansion during baking.
  4. Bake the baguettes at 400 degrees for 30 minutes until they develop a golden crust. Allow them to cool on wire racks before serving.

Aug 16, 2024