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Classic Crusty Homemade French Bread (Baguette Style)

Close-up of a golden brown, crusty French bread loaf with an open crumb texture, sitting on a speckled countertop.
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Bake bakery-style French bread at home with this easy recipe. You achieve a wonderfully crisp crust and a soft, airy interior using simple ingredients. This recipe is your blueprint for classic French baking.

Ingredients

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  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 105-115°F)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, instant yeast, and salt.
  2. Pour in the warm water. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms and no dry flour remains. Do not overmix.
  3. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 1 hour. This is the first rise.
  4. Gently turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces.
  5. Shape each piece into a long, thin loaf resembling a baguette. Work gently to keep the air in the dough.
  6. Place the shaped loaves onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let them rest for 30 minutes. This is the second rise.
  7. About 15 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam later.
  8. Just before baking, use a sharp knife or razor blade to make three diagonal slashes across the top of each loaf.
  9. Carefully pour 1 cup of hot water into the preheated shallow pan to create steam, then quickly place the loaves in the oven.
  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
  11. Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy your French bread with butter or soup.

Notes

  • For a crispier crust, spray the inside walls of the oven with water two times during the first 10 minutes of baking.
  • If you want a quicker result, try our 90 Minute French Bread variation: After the first rise, skip the 30-minute rest and proceed directly to shaping and baking. Total time is reduced significantly.
  • This recipe makes a classic crusty bread. For a soft and fluffy French bread loaf, reduce the baking time by 5 minutes and brush the tops lightly with melted butter immediately after removing them from the oven.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/easy-french-bread-recipe-in-one-hour/