Description
At its most fundamental level, this recipe is a celebration of texture and aromatics. The baguette itself is a long, thin loaf of French bread characterized by its crisp, crackly crust and its light, airy interior. When you slice into it, you should hear a distinct crunch, revealing a “crumb” that is full of holes, perfect for catching melting fat.
Ingredients
For the herb butter
1/2 cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter, softened
1–2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary, finely chopped
1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)
1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
For serving
1 fresh French baguette
Instructions
1. Make the herb butter
In a bowl, mix softened butter with parsley, chives, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Transfer to plastic wrap or parchment, roll into a log, and chill for 30 minutes (optional but recommended).
2. Prepare the baguette
Slice the baguette into rounds or lengthwise.
Serve at room temperature, or lightly toast if desired.
3. Serve
Spread herb butter generously on the baguette slices.
Optional: garnish with extra herbs or flaky sea salt.
Notes
For the best flavor, let the herb butter sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before spreading so the herbs fully bloom. This baguette pairs beautifully with soups, salads, or pasta, and can also be lightly toasted for extra crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Toasted
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 230kcal
- Calories: 2g
Keywords: Authentic French bread with herb spread, compound butter for baguette, homemade garlic herb butter bread, bistro style baguette and butter, savory herb butter loaf.