The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Baguettes

hamptonbaker's picture
hamptonbaker

Baguettes

Hello Baguette Masters,

 

I believe I have a sound formula for a lean french dough. It calls for a preferment with equal parts bread flour and water and 1 % instant yeast. The final dough is 66% hydration. However, I am not getting the thick, crispy crust, which I thought was desirable for a baguette? I have a great oven and do three seconds of steam 2x in the first minutes of baking.  What makes the crust thick? My baking time was roughly 30 minutes and the crust was light to medium brown (next time I will take a picture) Thanks for any suggestions, and I have been enjoying the back and forth between all the bakers on this site, it has been very helpful.

Marcy, hamptonbaker

Comments

xaipete's picture
xaipete (not verified)

I'm not an expert, but I don't usually associate a thick crust with a baguette. What I get a dark thick crust on is San Francisco Sourdough.

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/12217/dimuzio039s-san-francisco-sourdough

A lot of people have had good success making the Anis Bouabsa baguettes.

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/8242/anis-boabsa039s-baguettes

But, again, I don't think of that crust as thick.

--Pamela