Original Baguette Bread

Ingredients:

• 500 g all-purpose flour
• 330 ml water
• 5 g dry yeast or 15 g fresh yeast
• 10 g salt

Preparation:

1. Activate the Yeast:
   • Start by mixing the water and yeast in a bowl. It’s best if the water is warm, as this helps the yeast dissolve more quickly and effectively.
2. Mix the Dough:
   • Combine the flour and salt in a separate bowl, then add it to the yeast mixture. Knead the dough for a few minutes. It’s ready when it becomes smooth and no longer sticks easily to your hands. Initially, it might be a bit sticky, but it will improve as you knead.
3. First Rise:
   • After kneading, cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for an hour. During this time, the dough will rest and be ready for shaping.
4. Shape the Baguettes:
   • After resting, divide the dough into four equal pieces and shape them into elongated loaves. Place them on a baking tray, spaced apart, and make two shallow cuts on each loaf. Allow them to rise for about 30 minutes before baking.
5. Bake the Baguettes:
   • Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the baguettes for 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp.

Tip: To achieve a bakery-style crust, lightly spray the baguettes with water before baking to prevent them from forming a crust too quickly. If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can moisten your fingertips and gently brush the surface of the dough before baking.