Ingredients
• 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (480 ml) warm water
• 2 tsp instant dry yeast
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, helps yeast)
• Extra flour for shaping
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👩🍳 Instructions (Step-by-Step)
1️⃣ Make the Dough
• In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, salt, sugar
• Add warm water
• Stir with a spoon until you get a sticky, rough dough
• ❌ No kneading at all
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2️⃣ First Rise (Important)
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap or towel
• Let rise 1½–2 hours
• Dough should double and look bubbly (like your top photo)
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3️⃣ Shape the Bread
• Flour your hands and work surface
• Gently fold dough onto itself (2–3 times only)
• Divide into 2 or 3 pieces
• Shape each into a long loaf (baguette style)
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4️⃣ Second Rise
• Place loaves on baking tray lined with parchment
• Dust lightly with flour
• Cover and rest 30–40 minutes
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5️⃣ Bake
• Preheat oven to 230°C / 450°F
• Place a small oven-safe bowl of hot water in the oven (steam = crispy crust)
• Score the loaves with a sharp knife
• Bake 22–25 minutes until deep golden brown
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6️⃣ Cool
• Cool on a rack at least 15 minutes
• Crust will crisp as it cools ✨
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✅ Tips for BEST Results
• Sticky dough = good bread (don’t add too much flour)
• Steam is key for bakery-style crust
• Store wrapped in cloth (not plastic)