French Baguette Recipe
🧺 Ingredients
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All-purpose flour – 500 g (about 4 cups)
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Lukewarm water – 350 ml
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Instant yeast – 1½ tsp
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Salt – 2 tsp
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Sugar – 1 tsp (optional, helps activate yeast)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the dough
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In a bowl, mix water, yeast, and sugar
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Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy
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Add flour and salt, then mix
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Dough will be slightly sticky (this is normal)
2️⃣ Kneading
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Knead the dough for 10–12 minutes
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It should become smooth and elastic
3️⃣ First rise
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Lightly oil a bowl and place the dough inside
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Cover and let rise for 1–1.5 hours in a warm place
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Dough should double in size
4️⃣ Shape the baguettes
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Divide dough into 2 equal parts
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Flatten each into a rectangle, then roll tightly
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Shape into long baguettes
5️⃣ Second rise
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Place on a floured cloth or baking tray
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Cover and let rest for 30–40 minutes
6️⃣ Score & bake
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Make diagonal cuts on top using a sharp blade
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Preheat oven to 240°C (465°F)
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Place a tray of hot water in the oven for steam
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Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown
✅ Tips
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Steam helps create a crispy crust
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Cool on a wire rack after baking
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Bread is ready when it sounds hollow when tapped
