The French baguette is more than just a loaf of bread. It’s indeed a cherished symbol of one of the most incredible countries I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Every town and city in France seem to have several charming boulangeries- or bakeries. As you walk by, the air is filled with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked breads and pastries. I can still vividly imagine peeking through the window, tempted by the sight of those beautifully crafted baguettes, the hustle of eager customers, and, of course, the amazing taste of a warm, crusty baguette.
Even though it’s been a while since our last vacation in France, we can still enjoy the warmth of homemade baguettes in our kitchen with this easy overnight recipe. And you can too! Just picture it: the delightful scent wafting through your home and the joy of sinking your teeth into a delicious homemade baguette.
What makes baguettes so wonderful is their versatility! We love using fresh baguettes for all sorts of things—whether it’s a tasty sandwich, a side for a vibrant black and blue salad, or nestled beside a cozy bowl of Creamy Mushroom Soup. And if you happen to have any leftover bread that you can’t finish, don’t worry! You can easily cube it up and turn it into crunchy homemade croutons.
What Makes a True French Baguette?
So, what exactly makes a true French baguette? The French take great pride in their bread, and for good reason! Believe it or not, there’s even a law that protects the authenticity of French bread. Over 30 years ago, the French government implemented regulations on the ingredients and methods used to create these iconic loaves. To be considered “French bread,” it must contain only four basic ingredients: wheat flour, yeast, water, and salt. Plus, the entire baking process must happen in the boulangerie where the bread is sold! Bakers follow strict rules about preservatives and let the dough ferment to create that amazing flavor and texture we all love.
No wonder French bread is so unbelievably delicious! While these regulations only apply to bread sold in stores, we do our best to stick to these guidelines to make our homemade baguettes taste just like the ones you find in France.
Preparation, Servings, and Storage
One of the best parts of homemade baguettes is that it only requires four ingredients. No searching for special ingredients! The process is super easy too: just mix everything in the evening, shape the dough, and pop it in the fridge overnight. This allows the flavors to develop beautifully. In the morning, you can bake them for just 15 minutes, and voilà! You’ll have three lovely 15-inch baguettes ready to enjoy.
Freshly baked bread is always best on the day it’s made, and you can keep your baguettes in a bread bag at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to save some for later, they freeze wonderfully for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just take them out to thaw on the counter and then give them a quick bake at 350°F for about 5 minutes to revive that delicious crust. So, why not give it a go? Enjoy the magic of freshly baked baguettes—they’re truly a delight!
Do you Love Baking Fresh Bread? Try:
French Baguette
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 3½ cups Bread flour
- 2¼ tsp Instant yeast
- 1½ tsp Sea salt
- 1¾ cups Water
Instructions
- In a large stand mixer, combine bread flour, yeast, salt, and water.
- Using the dough hook, knead the dough for 10 minutes.
- Cover the bowl and allow to rise for 1½-2 hours.
- Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces.
- Stretch and roll the dough on a large work surface until it is 16 inches long.
- Place the dough onto a parchment paper lined sheet pan.
- Cover the sheet pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- The next morning, preheat the oven to 450℉.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator while the oven is preheating.
- After the dough has been at room temperature for 40 minutes, score the top of each loaf 4 times.
- Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes.
- Remove the baguettes from the oven and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition
