Easy baguettes that come together quickly and taste amazing!
Crusty French Baguettes
- 3 1/2 Tbsp warm water
- 1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
- 3 3/4 cup bread flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cup water
- additional flour for dusting
Place warm water in a small bowl and sprinkle yeast on top, stir gently. Set aside and allow the yeast to dissolve and become foamy.
Place bread flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and stir in the dissolved yeast.
Add water, a little at a time, while stirring, until a shaggy dough has formed.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and gently press it into a rectangle. Fold sides in, rotate 90 degrees, then repeat.
Place dough in a large bowl and allow to rise until doubled (approx. 2 hours)
Divide dough into 4 equal portions, and shape each into a long loaf.
Place loaves into a baguette pan. Cover and let rise until double (approx 30 – 45 minutes).
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place a pan of water on the bottom rack.
When the oven has preheated, uncover and cut down the center of each one with a sharp knife.
Bake 20 minutes or until crusty and brown.
