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Mini Baguettes

Posted by jenny on 06/13/2011
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Mini Baguettes

I'm always in search of a fast bread recipe, and this baguette formula made some pretty reliable little loaves. Terrific right out of the oven, they'll keep well if tightly wrapped and frozen. Pop them into a 350 oven until they're warm and you have a terrific sandwich bread or something to go with dinner - perfect for two.

This recipe comes from The Thrifty Gourmet, and uses only 5 ingredients - pretty typical for a lean bread. These are things all pantries should have, but if you don't have bread flour, you can use all purpose flour just fine.


Mini Baguettes
4 c bread flour
1 tsp yeast
2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
Warm water

  1. Proof the yeast in 1/2 c water with the sugar.
  2. Mix the flour and salt together.
  3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour and add more warm water until the dough ball detaches from the side of the bowl. 
  4. Knead for 8 minutes.
  5. Rest the dough in a covered oiled bowl for 2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size.
  6. Deflate gently and knead for an additional 4 minutes.
  7. Divide the dough into 8 pieces and shape into baguettes.
    Note: There are links to videos in the More Information section below showing how to shape baguettes.
  8. Place the dough on parchment paper and dust with flour. Slash the dough.
  9. Cover with a towel and allow to rise for 45 minutes (they baguettes will be plump).
  10. 30 minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 500 degrees.
  11. Place a roasting pan or a pie pan in the bottom rack and fill it with boiling water. This will create a steam environment for the bread crust. Alternately, you can use a spray bottle and steam the oven once you put the bread in, but you only need to steam it for the first 2 minutes (about every 30 seconds). 
  12. When the oven is thoroughly heated, place the baguettes into the oven and bake for 10 minutes at 500. Lower the temperature to 400 and bake for an additional 20 - 25 minutes, until the bread sounds hollow.

More Info

Shaping Baguettes Tutorial by Back Home Bakery

Another terrific demo that might be more than you need for this recipe, but it's very informative.

The Thrifty Gourmet's Mini Baguette post