Do you love crispy, chewy French baguette bread? This recipe will help you bake up a loaf that is crusty on the outside, and soft and warm inside. Serve it up with dinner, as the base for a hoagie, or just as a snack with butter or olive oil. This guide will show you how to make baguette that your friends and family will adore.

Baking homemade bread can be intimidating, but there is no need to be afraid! Baguette is not difficult to make at home. There is some time investment required (as the dough will need to rise for 4 hours before baking), but the process as a whole is fairly simple. After making it a couple of times, you will be able to tailor the recipe to your specific taste and adjust your oven to achieve the texture that you prefer.

• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• Olive oil (for greasing bowl)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dry active yeast
• 4 bowls (3 medium, one large)
• Dish towel

1. Sift together flour and salt in medium bowl
2. In another bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water
3. Add half of the salted flour to the water and yeast mixture
4. Work with your hands to form a dough
5. Cover with dish towel
6. Let sit until tripled in size (about 3 hours)
7. Work in remaining flour with hands (be gentle)
8. Turn onto lightly floured surface
9. Knead for 10 minutes
10. Oil large bowl
11. Add dough and cover with dish towel
12. Let rise for one hour

1. Separate the dough into 3 parts
2. Roll each section into a long loaf with hands
3. Set on baking sheet
4. Let sit 20 minutes
5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
6. Place a bowl of water into the oven
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, removing bowl of water after 15 minutes