I think it’s really important to have some good, traditional recipes in your baking repertoire. I love classic French Baguettes – just like the ones you’d find in a Parisian boulangerie. They’re crispy, crunchy and delicious slathered in loads of butter. Tasty and simple recipes are always more appealing to me, and the reason I decided to make homemade baguettes because making your own bread is great fun and it is really easy too. If you’re looking for a classic, crisp French baguette look no further and give this recipe a go, I was totally blown away by how good these tasted!

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp fast-action dried yeast

250g (2 cup + 2 tbsp) strong white bread flour

30g unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

1/2 tsp of salt

150ml (2/3 cup) warm water

Method:

1. Place the flour, salt, yeast and butter in a food mixer with a dough hook attached. Mix until the butter is all combined. Add the water and knead on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Then knead on low-medium speed for a further 5 minutes – you can alternatively knead the dough by hand. Once the dough has been kneaded, place it in a lightly oiled large bowl , cover and leave somewhere warm to rise for 2 hours.

2. Then take the dough out and divide into 3 equally sized pieces of dough. Lightly roll out into the traditional baguette shape on a lightly floured surface.

3. Take your baguette pan and shape the baguettes into each mould and place on a baking tray. Put somewhere warm until doubled in size.

4. Once the dough has doubled in size, preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6. Fill a deep baking tray with some boiling water (about 2-3 inches worth of water) and place at the bottom of your oven. Before baking, slash the top of each baguette three times diagonally across. Bake for 30 minutes exactly until the crust is all nice, crispy and coloured. Allow to cool completely and then slice and enjoy anyway you like!

 

Enjoy the recipe!