🧺 Ingredients
- Plain flour – 500 g (around 4 cups)
- Warm water – 350 ml
- Instant dry yeast – 1½ teaspoons
- Fine salt – 2 teaspoons
- Sugar – 1 teaspoon (optional, helps wake up the yeast)
👩🍳 Method
1️⃣ Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar.
Let it rest for 5–10 minutes until bubbly and active.
Add the flour and salt, then mix until a rough dough forms.
The dough will feel a bit sticky — that’s perfectly normal.
2️⃣ Knead
Turn the dough onto a clean surface and knead for 10–12 minutes.
Keep working it until it turns soft, smooth, and stretchy.
3️⃣ First Proof
Lightly grease a bowl and place the dough inside.
Cover and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1½ hours.
The dough should puff up and nearly double in size.
4️⃣ Shape the Baguettes
Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions.
Flatten each piece into a rectangle, then roll tightly.
Gently stretch and shape into long baguettes.
5️⃣ Second Proof
Place the shaped loaves on a floured cloth or baking tray.
Cover and allow them to rest for 30–40 minutes.
6️⃣ Score & Bake
Using a sharp knife or blade, make diagonal slashes on top.
Preheat the oven to 240°C (465°F).
Place a heatproof tray filled with hot water in the oven to create steam.
Bake for 20–25 minutes until the baguettes turn deep golden.
✅ Helpful Tips
- Steam in the oven gives you that classic crispy crust
- Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing
- A hollow sound when tapped means the bread is fully baked
