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1
Start by making the baguettes. Lightly oil a large bowl and set it aside. In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour, yeast, and salt. While mixing the dough at a slow speed, slowly add water, a 1/8 cup at a time, but do not exceed 3/4 cup, until the dough comes together. Turn the speed to medium and continue mixing for about 5 minutes, until you have a smooth, elastic dough.
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2
Shape the dough into a ball, transfer to the oiled bowl, and cover the whole thing with a tea towel. Leave the dough until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour. While the dough rises, make a makeshift baguette tray -- unless you already have one. To make a baguette tray, find three paper towel holders (or roll up three kitchen towels) and place them equi-distance apart on a baking tray, then cover them with baking parchment. The two gaps between the rolls will form pockets to hold your dough as it rises, helping the baguettes keep their shape, as shown in the photo below.
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3
Once your dough has risen, tip the dough onto a floured work surface and cut it into two equal-sized pieces. Try not to knock too much air out -- this is what will create those lovely air pockets in your baguette.
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4
Gently flatten one piece of dough into an oblong shape and, starting at one end, fold one third into the center, then fold the other third so that they two ends meet in the middle without overlapping. Then, fold in half lengthwise, like a hot dog. Place the dough seam-side down and gently roll it out so that the ends taper slightly. Place it on the prepared baguette tray. Repeat with the second piece of dough.
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5
Preheat your oven to 425u00b0 F (220u00b0 C). Put the tray inside a clean plastic bag to keep it warm and leave to proof for an hour.
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6
When the baguettes have doubled in size, remove the tray from the plastic bag, and remove the rolls or tea towels, unless using a baguette tray. Score the tops with five diagonal cuts and bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden -- you don't want too dark a color as you'll be baking them again with the garlic butter. Remove the bread from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
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7
While the baguettes are baking, make your garlic butter. In a medium bowl, use a fork to mash together the butter and garlic. Stir in the parsley until well combined, then shape the mixture into a cylinder 1 to 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate until ready to use.
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8
When the baguettes have cooled, use a serrated knife to cut incisions about an inch apart along the length of each baguette, making sure not to cut the whole way through.
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9
Remove your garlic butter from the fridge, unwrap it,and cut it into thin slices. Wedge a slice between each slit in the bread, then loosely wrap each baguette in tin foil. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, opening the foil for the last few minutes to crisp the top.
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10
Enjoy it warm, or keep it wrapped in foil in a bread box for a later day. It will keep for about two days.
