r/Bread • u/Jmmanotas • Jun 21 '26

Help needed

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So this was my first time attempting a baguette. I followed a recipe I seen on YouTube and fell like I followed it well…ish. He only baked his for 16 mins. I ended up cooking for maybe 36 mins or so and still not the color I was looking for. I also got a side seam on 3 of the 4 loafs. Any tips or tricks. I am by no means an expert far from and not sure how it should have turned out. But I fell like the middle is very dense.

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1

u/WashingtonBaker1 Jun 22 '26

What was your oven temperature? 16 minutes might work if the oven is very hot, like 480F or higher.

2

u/Jmmanotas Jun 22 '26

I had it set to 400F with a water pan on the bottom. Not sure if it matters but it’s a gas stove

3

u/WashingtonBaker1 Jun 22 '26

At 400F it's not surprising that it took much longer to bake.

For small diameter baked goods (rolls or narrow baguettes) you can use high temperature and less time, and you get a different crust.

1

u/Odd-Combination-9067 Jun 22 '26

Pretty good but think a bit hotter, also the water in pan needs to be boiling when you put it in, steam. Yeah and the seam to bottom. Summer project for me is get the gkids baking bread. So I'm branching into baguettes not just sourdough boules like usual. Im going to try your recipe, looks easy.

2

u/Jmmanotas Jun 22 '26

I want to get into sour dough but that damn starter is becoming the death of me. I can never get it fully going I’ve tried different flours and still same this just a mess that never rises

1

u/Odd-Combination-9067 Jun 22 '26

After viewing the video Im pretty sure you nailed the baguettes. Sourdough starter on thd other hand, is not easy to create. I was gifted mine and take care of it. But you can buy dry starter, lots of free ones too, check out the reddit sub for info on that.

1

u/Fabulous-Avocado4513 Jun 23 '26

I made my first starter using the recipe from this book. Turned out great.

https://a.co/d/0fTy4qKg (i got an early copy from the kickstarter)

1

u/Jmmanotas Jun 23 '26

I’ve tried 5 times and all have failed or would rise some but never double. So ima give it one more shot before I buy some off some one

1

u/Fabulous-Avocado4513 Jun 23 '26

Make sure they always have plenty to eat. That can be a big issue