Food for Blog: Baguette from The Sisters Cafe

I love making homemade bread.  Unfortunately it doesn't always turn out the way I want it too.  I have a bread maker but I haven't really mastered that and there's just something about using your hands that is really appealing.  So when I saw this bread pinned on Pinterest I thought I would give it a try, it did claim to be quick and easy and it was.  The Sisters Cafe has some really delicious looking recipes and I can't wait to try a few more.

Here is the recipe:

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/2 Tbs. (2 packages) dry yeast
2 tsp. sugar
3 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp. salt

In a small bowl mix the warm water with the yeast and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes – foam should form on the top.

In a large mixing bowl combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture. Mix until the dough becomes a smooth ball and knead for 5 minutes.  If you have a Kitchen Aide now is the time to use it, otherwise you'll get a nice tricep workout!

Cut in half and then shape into 2 baguettes. To make them smooth and pretty, roll each half of dough into rectangle and roll up lengthwise. Pinch the edges to seal and place on lightly greased cookie sheet (or silpat) with seam down. Cover and let it rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. With a very sharp knife (I like to use a serrated blade) gently make a slash down the length of each baguette. This will give it that authentic look. Pour water in a cookie sheet and place it on the bottom rack of the oven. Bake the bread for 15 minutes. Half way through, brush the bread with melted butter. 

From the comments on the original posting, some people felt it was a little bit too salty so I decreased my salt to 1 1/2 tsp instead of 2.   I also used bread flour.  I buy it in bulk at Sam's because its what I make my homemade pizza dough with so I have a ton of it on hand.  

Now for what you really want to know, how did it turn out?  Really, really delicious.  Those two loaves were gone in no time and my husband said I had definitely redeemed myself.  The last loaf I made was disgraceful, lol!  It had a little bit of a salty taste and I think decreasing the salt worked for us.

The second time I made this, I let it rise for about an hour and it was even better.  This recipe is a keeper!

This is the first batch, good, but the second was better and prettier.

He posed for me!

Perfect with a bowl of hearty soup on a cold day!