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Classic Crusty Homemade French Bread (Baguette Style)

A loaf of crusty french bread, sliced in half to show the airy, white interior crumb structure.
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Bake bakery-style French bread at home. This recipe delivers a wonderfully crisp crust and a soft, airy interior, perfect for any meal.

Ingredients

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  • 3 cups All-Purpose Flour (plus more for dusting)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Instant Yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups Warm Water (about 105-115°F)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast.
  2. Gradually pour in the warm water while mixing with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
  3. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The dough will become bubbly and increase in volume.
  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 on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let them rest for 30 minutes.
  7. While the loaves rest, place a baking stone or an inverted baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 450°F (232°C). Place a shallow pan on the bottom rack for steam.
  8. Just before baking, use a sharp knife or razor blade to make three diagonal slashes across the top of each loaf.
  9. Carefully slide the loaves (on the parchment paper) onto the preheated stone or sheet. Pour 1 cup of hot water into the shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam, and quickly close the oven door.
  10. Bake for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the steam pan. Continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
  11. Transfer the loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your homemade French bread!

Notes

  • For a quicker bake, reduce the final rise time to 15 minutes, but expect a slightly less developed flavor.
  • To achieve a very crispy crust, spray the inside walls of the oven with water two times during the first 10 minutes of baking.
  • This recipe makes a classic crusty bread; for a softer crust, skip the steam pan and brush the loaves lightly with melted butter immediately after they come out of the oven.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://whiskdaily.com/crusty-homemade-french-bread-recipe/