Forget the Bakery: Make French Baguettes at Home with Ease

Photo byPublic Domain / Pisqels

Is there a better aroma than fresh bread baking in the oven? While bread-making may sound difficult, this French baguette recipe is easy to throw together, resulting in a tasty baguette with a crunchy outside and soft interior.

I've been making the following recipe for years, which I originally found on AllRecipes. The original recipe is designed for using a bread machine. Since I don't have a bread machine, I've modified this to work with a KitchenAid using a dough hook. However, you don't need any equipment (although it makes it easier) -- you can knead the dough by hand.

Photo byRDNE Stock project / Pexels

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions

1. Place flour, 1 cup warm water, sugar, yeast, and salt into your KitchenAid bowl.

2. Using the dough hook, knead on a low speed until ingredients are incorporated. Up the speed to medium and knead until it forms into a ball. If your dough is too dry, add more water. If your dough is too sticky and wet, add more flour (1/4 cup at a time.)

3. Place the dough into a greased bowl and set in a warm place to proof for one hour.

4. Punch down your dough and move to a floured work surface. Roll it out into a 16x12" rectangle. Cut in half to make (2) 8x12" rectangles.

5. Roll each half starting at the long side. You will want to roll the dough tightly. Once it's rolled, gently roll the dough log back and forth on the counter to create tapered ends

6. Place your loaves on a greased cookie sheet leaving at least a few inches in between. Using a sharp knife, make deep diagonal cuts in each loaf.

8. Cover with a dishcloth and let rise for the second time in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until the size has doubled.

9. While your dough rises, preheat the oven to 375F.

10. Beat the egg yolk with one tablespoon of water and brush gently on the risen loaves.

11. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the loaves are a lovely golden brown.

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