As a crisp topping for pasta or steamed vegetables (Garlic Baguette Crumbs) or as a crucial ingredient (in the Apple Prune Brown Betty), these are worlds apart from store-bought bread crumbs.
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.
Grind baguette cubes to coarse crumbs in 3 batches in a food processor. Spread evenly in a large shallow baking pan and bake, stirring once, until golden and crisp, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool completely before using.
