This seeded Baguette Bread is easy to make and bakes into a perfectly golden loaf with a crunchy, chewy crust and a soft, warm center.
Bread lover, anyone?
I admit that I do love bread – but I should also add, that I’m very picky about my bread. I like a bread that can stand on it’s own, and isn’t there just to keep sandwich ingredients together.
For me, it should have a nice crusty, chewy exterior, and when bitten into, give away to a tender, soft center. If your bread isn’t like this it may be because you need to go on a Truffle Nation bakery course to learn how to bake you bread better!
And, the more seeds on the outside, the better. Are you with me on this?
Fun fact: did you know that bread has one of the highest cost mark-ups at your grocery store?
That little crumb of information shouldn’t surprise me like it does, since I pay nearly $4.00 for the same baguette loaf that you see in the pictures here.
The good news is, this recipe will make you three large loaves and cost you significantly less than the price of one at your grocery store. 🙂
The most difficult thing about making this bread is…the waiting.
Waiting for the yeast to proof, waiting for it to rise. Punching it down, rolling it out, rolling it up, then waiting for it to rise yet again.
Yet, after that, it’s a mere 20-25 minutes in the oven and you have gorgeous loaves just waiting for dipping oil, a fancy submarine sandwich, or waiting to be spread with your favorite dip.
And now… after making this bread…I finally realize why I’m the one that will sans the bun on a perfectly good burger and instead, order my burger wrapped in crispy, crunchy lettuce.
After all this time, I finally figured out, it has to do with the lack of a perfect bun to wrap the burger in.
So, it’s safe to say, expect to see a fabulous bun recipe coming to a blog near you. 🙂
Oh! One other thing…
You know what else you will love about this recipe? You don’t need a bread machine to make it. 🙂
All you’ll need is, a few bowls and a baking sheet, and you’ll have a few, full-flavored loaves with the most beautiful, golden brown, seeded, crunchy crust.
When I used to buy the baguette loaf at my local grocery store, I used to cut it in half, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then tin foil and store them in a zip lock bag and toss them in the freezer.
I love having the loaves on hand and ready to pop into the oven to go with spaghetti, soups, sandwiches, or just as a casual appetizer served with a flavorful dipping sauce.
Tell me readers, how do you like to enjoy your bread?
Enjoy!
Baguette Bread
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 and 1/2 cups bread flour
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon water
Seed Mixture (optional)
- 1 tablespoon caraway seed
- 1 tablespoon dill seed
- 1 tablespoon poppy seed
- 1 tablespoon sesame seed
Instructions
- Combine water, yeast and sugar together in a medium-size bowl. Wait for yeast to proof and get foamy. Add salt, then flour and mix gently until a ball starts to form. Then, knead until dough makes a firm ball.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover with a towel and place in a warm area to let bread rise for 30 minutes. Bread should double in size.
- Punch down dough, and roll out flat on a floured surface until 12" x 16" in size. Cut in half, thirds or fourths (see note). Once cut, roll bread into a long cylinder, smoothing out any bubbles as you go, and slightly taper the ends.
- Place each loaf on a greased baking sheet approximately 2" to 3" apart. Make deep slices diagonally into the bread. Then, loosely cover loaves with plastic wrap and let loaves rise 30 more minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Mix egg yolk with one tablespoon of water. Brush tops of loaves with egg/water mixture, then sprinkle seeds evenly on top of all the loaves.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and serve, or when cool, cover and store.
Notes
**The seed mixture in this recipe will make MORE than you need for the recipe, so store the seeds until the next time you make bread!
marcie says
I have the biggest weakness for fresh, baked bread! This looks perfect, Kristi, and all those seeds on top are the best! Pinned, and pinned again!
Kristi says
Thanks Marcie – I love seed bread! I like the flavor it adds. 🙂 Have a great week, and thanks for the pin!
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
YES I am all about lots of seeds on top! This is such a beautiful loaf of bread, I’m definitely going to have to try out this recipe!! Love it!
Kristi says
Thanks Sam – it’s super easy too – you’re going to love it!
My Dish is Bomb says
I hate that bread is so expensive at the grocery store. Especially french bread, for some reason! And sourdough, though I am willing to pay more not to have a smelly sourdough starter in my house. 😛 Your baguette looks so soft and if I can handle the waiting…I’m definitely going to try it!
Kristi says
Haha! Now you have me curious! I have never smelled sourdough starter! I need to try it. LOL!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
I love baguettes.. but have never tried making my own.. This looks way better and delicious than the store bought baguette.. Can’t believe its so simple to make.. Will be making soon.. Thanks for sharing Kristi!! 🙂
Kristi says
I’m glad you like it Arpita. This is waaaaay better than store bought, and a lot more inexpensive too.
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Mmmm nothing like fresh homemade bread! looks fantastic Kristi!! I love the seeds on top 🙂 Pinned!
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Manali! I could get into the habit of making homemade bread. 🙂
Kristi @ My SF Kitchen says
Oh my, bread is my weakness! I haven’t baked a loaf in ages… great recipe!
Kristi says
I love bread for dipping, and there are so many dishes where I can’t live without it. 🙂
Ashley says
I am on a bread baking binge right now!!! haha clearly I need more recipes to make and freeze (I made four loaves last week …. yeah, I don’t know why I decided on four but you know…). This looks awesome especially with that seed topping! I have no baguettes so that must be fixed!
Kristi says
OMGosh Ashley – four loaves! Girl, I’m so coming over, because those loaves need to be eaten! Hahahaha! You need to get on making some baguettes stat. 🙂
Ella-HomeCookingAdventure says
I love bread recipes, whenever I have the chance I make homemade bread too:) I kind of cheated on this summer days but when autumn comes I will start again. Your baguettes look awesome.
Kristi says
Bread is an autumn and winter thing – I totally agree! But, with this one, I couldn’t resist. And now those loaves are safely in my freezer for any summer time dip! 🙂
Tooba says
I am so glad to find this recipe! This summer I ate a lot of this bread in France and is my favorite. Since I came back I am craving it and couldnt find the seeded one anywhere! I will make this today! So excited! Thank u so much!