I love bread. Like, all kinds of bread. Having bread with dinner is like needing a utensil to eat..its a necessity. I am constantly making bread around here. We love it. Its so easy and always so much better fresh, homemade, and hot out of the oven!
This french baguette recipe is our go to. Its so simple. I make two loaves at a time and we’ve got bread for a few days. I’m also known for snacking on it throughout the day smeared with brie or toasting it up with some jams..bread is just one of those things I can’t say ‘no’ to.
This baguette recipe is perfect and comes out just as a baguette should..nice and crispy on the outside and soft, airy, and perfect on the inside. Pat on a little butter to the warmed bread, dunk in some soup, I don’t care what you use it as, its one of the best food vessels there is!
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 teaspoons honey
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3- 3 1/2 cups bread flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon water
Directions
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, stir together the warm water, honey and yeast.
- Allow it to rest until the yeast is proofed, nice and foamy, about 5-10 minutes.
- Add in the flour and salt.
- With the dough hook, knead until tacky but it doesn't stick to your fingers, about 3-4 minutes.
- Lightly grease the bowl, and return the dough into it.
- Cover with plastic wrap and allow it to rise in a draft-free area until its doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.
- Remove the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and punch down.
- Divide the dough into two even balls.
- Roll out into the shape of a baguette and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Make diagonal slits every 2-3 inches across the top of the dough
- Cover with a damp towel and allow to rise a second time for 35-45 minutes.
- In a small bowl whisk together the egg yolk and water.
- With a pastry brush, lightly brush the mixture across the top of the dough
- Heat the oven to 375 degrees and cook for 20-25 minutes.