Chewy French Baguette

4.8
(10)

I don't bake with bread flour or rapid yeast, and I don't have a bread machine. This is a pretty good loaf using things I already have. One might call it 'French on a budget' bread. This recipe can make 1 big loaf or 6 sandwich rolls. I find they're best served warm with homemade butter.

4
4
4
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon white sugar

  • 1 ½ cups hot water

  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

  • 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed

  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

  1. Dissolve sugar into the hot water in a 2-cup measure; add yeast and stir gently. Let dissolve until top is foamy, about 5 minutes.

  2. Whisk flour and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Stir gently, starting from the middle, until mixture is sticky. Knead by hand, adding more flour if needed, until dough is elastic and no longer sticky, about 10 minutes.

  3. Oil a large, clean bowl and place dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

  4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Fill a roasting pan with water and set on the lower rack of the oven. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat.

  5. Punch down dough and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Shape dough into 1 large loaf or 6 sandwich loaves, tapering the ends. Place loaves on the prepared baking sheet. Cut 3 or 4 diagonal slashes, about 1/4 to 1/2-inch, across the tops. Cover with a dry towel and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.

  6. Uncover and bake in the center of the preheated oven until top is light golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes depending on the size of the loaves.

Cook's Note:

Some schools of thought remove water from oven before setting loaves in, some leave it in. Whatever you prefer is fine; I've always read that you need a moist oven for a proper French crust.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

332 Calories
5g Fat
61g Carbs
9g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 332
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g 7%
Saturated Fat 1g 4%
Sodium 585mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 61g 22%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 9g
Calcium 15mg 1%
Iron 4mg 22%
Potassium 111mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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