Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Barefoot Bakes: French Baguette













Want a fresh home-made crusty baguette? Here's my recipe on how!

What you'll need:

(2 + 1/2) Cups All Purpose Flour
(1 + 1/2) Packets Active Dry Yeast
(1/2) teaspoon table salt
(1/4) teaspoon Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt
(1/4) teaspoon sugar
(1) Cup warm water (110 F)
(1) Tablespoon Cornmeal
(1) Egg White

Step 1:
In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, salt, & sugar. Stir in warm water and stir mixture together with a wooden spoon. (If you have a stand mixer, feel free to use a bread hook).

Step 2:
On a lightly floured surface (with extra flour easily within reach), knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Knead dough for 8-10 minutes. Shape into a ball. Place dough ball into a bowl that has been coated with non-stick spray. Cover with dish towel and let rise in a warm place until dough has doubled (about 20 minutes).

Step 3:
Punch dough down and divide into half. Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Cover with dishtowel and let rest for 10 minutes. Shape each dough ball into appropriate form. Use a little egg white to help seams stick. Be sure to taper your ends!

Step 4:
Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet (i use a few squirts of PAM on the cookie sheet before placing the parchment down, so the paper wont shift around on the pan). Sprinkle paper with cornmeal. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared cookie sheet. Lightly beat an egg white and brush on top of loaves. Cover with damp cloth, and let rise until nearly doubled (about 30-45 minutes). (I usually preheat the oven with about 10 minutes remaining during this step.)

Step 5:
Make 3-4 diagonal cuts with a very sharp knife about 1/4" deep a cross the top of each loaf. Bake in 375 degree preheated oven for 20 minutes. Brush top again with egg white. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from backing sheet and cool on a wire rack.

Step 6:
Enjoy!

19 comments:

Purple Flowers said...

They look incredibly delicious! Enjoy.

Jennifer said...

They look incredible! I am definitely going to have to attempt to make some!

nanny said...

OMG, those are just beautiful! Can't wait to try (I repeat try) ha
My dough never rises like it is supposed to. Any suggestions?

Lauren @ Adventures of a Southern Newlywed said...

Yum! That looks delicious! I will have to try this.

Enjoy your week!

QueenBeeSwain said...

barefoot in the park = the barefoot contessa! major snaps on the domesticity!

kHm

Rachel Ann said...

This looks so yummy. Also, Nanny, you may want to check to make sure your yeast is alive by proofing it. Add warm water (not hot at all--above 100 degrees-ish kills yeast--so check the temperature on the inside of your wrist or use a thermometer) to the yeast and wait 5 minutes. It should bubble some. If not, throw it out. Your yeast is dead.

Polka Dots & Protein Bars said...

YUM! Thanks for the recipe!

Sweet Simplicity said...

I just printed this recipe off. It looks so yummy!

Lucky in Love said...

That looks yummy!

Posh Peach said...

Looks delicious! I love homemade bread.

Stereos and Souffles said...

Looks fab! Only one problem, I'll want to eat half the loaf :-)
I should make it when I have enough people over to share it with.

Olivia: (mostly) Happy Homemaker said...

YUM! Your loaves look delish! I'll have to try!

QueenBeeSwain said...

ps- tagged you!

kHm

Alison said...

Wow, that is amazing!! THanks for sharing.

Have a great day!

Taryn said...

Wow- those look amazing! Seriously. Mine never seem to turn out quite so well. You are awesome.

The Mrs. said...

I am so impressed!

KPB said...

They look delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe - Im definitly going to try it out. :)

Tasha said...

These are beautiful! Seriously! Martha Stewart's magazine should feature you soon! You are my hero for your amazing domestic skills!

Well I Do Declare said...

YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!