March 2026 - Paul Hollywood's Baguettes

Back in July 2022, our recipe to bake was an authentic French Baguette. I've been waiting for the perfect time to call for a do-over. It's still cool/cold outside, so let's use our ovens to heat our kitchens (464 F), and make baguettes.

The following is an exact replica of what our original host, Gail, wrote:

Who among us doesn't love a fresh baguette? Yes, we have done Paul's ciabatta, his ciabatta breadsticks, his focaccia, soda bread, cottage loaf, and several other British loafs but we haven't yet baked baguettes. Join on Sunday, July 24, 2022 at 7 pm Eastern time when we discuss our first ever baguette bake.

This baguette recipe by Paul Hollywood is the technical challenge recipe in the Bread episode of Season 3 of The Great British Baking Show. It is explained in further detail by Paul in Masterclass: Part 2.

For those still wanting to practice using steam in the oven, this recipe is another one that uses that technique for achieving a great crust. Further, this recipe does not call for any exotic ingredients, but it does use a "linen couche," a baguette holder, for the rise. The couche basically helps the baguette hold its shape. If you do not have one and do not want to buy one, you can probably fashion one yourself from linen towels.

The baguette is an important bread to master and a favorite to enjoy with wine and cheese, so set your goals for what skills you want to focus on this week. See you and your baguettes at the meeting and don't hesitate to bring a glass of wine and your favorite cheese!

Here is the recipe:
Paul Hollywood's Baguettes Recipe | French Recipes | PBS Food

Happy baking!

Important note from Julie, gained from experience :-)

• In Step 12, the recipe instructions say to "Fill the heated roasting tray with hot water, to create steam." Whatever you do, do NOT use a glass pan for this step. Hot Glass can undergo thermal shock if you pour water over it. You can end up with hundreds of shards of glass in your oven. Please use a metal pan.

show notes: Baguettes are the Technical Challenge for bread week of Series 6 (Netflix and PBS Season 3). This recipe is also featured in the Masterclass episode that aired with/after that series (available on Netflix as Great British Baking Show: Masterclass, Season 3 Episode 2).