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French Baguettes

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The easiest artisan bread you can make is French baguettes. These crusty, long loaves of bread are delicious and require only a few ingredients.
Course bread
Cuisine French
Servings 4 baguettes
Calories 413
Author Lindsay Viker

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups flour (450 grams)
  • 1/4 cup water (50 ml)
  • 1.5 tsp active dry yeast
  • cool water as needed
  • extra flour for dusting

Instructions

  • Start by activating the yeast. Put the warm water into a cup and add the yeast. Slowly the water will become foamy as the yeast starts to become active.
  • Put the flour in a large bowl and mix in the salt. Make a little hollow in the middle, pour in the dissolved yeast, and stir it in until it slowly comes together. Add in some of the cool water until it becomes a stiff dough. Cover the bowl with a cling wrap and set it aside for 30 minutes, if possible in a warm place.
  • After 30 minutes, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into rectangles and fold it into thirds. Turn it over and repeat the process.
  • Oil a big bowl and place the dough in it. Cover the bowl with cling wrap and let it rise for an hour or two. Leave the bowl in a warm place to encourage yeast activity. The dough will double in size during this time.
  • Put the dough on a floured surface and divide it into four equal parts. Shape them into long baguettes, put a light coating of oil on top, cover with a flour-dusted tea towel and cling wrap, and let them rise for half an hour to 45 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 450°F and place a water pan on the bottom rack.
  • Uncover and transfer the dough to a buttered baking sheet and make four light slashes on each piece with a knife. Dust lightly with flour.
  • Bake for half an hour or 45 minutes until browned and crusty.

Nutrition

Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 160mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 5mg