Creating delicious French Onion Soup can be easy if you follow these steps:

1. Prep the Onions: Peel and thinly slice the onions.
2. Sauté the Onions: In a large pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions, salt, and sugar. Cook for 20-30 minutes until they are golden brown, stirring occasionally.
3. Add Flour: Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir well. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until flour is lightly browned.
4. Add Wine: Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot to combine any brown bits.
5. Add Broth: Stir in beef or vegetable stock, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Season with pepper.
6. Prepare Bread: While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast for about 5-7 minutes until lightly golden.
7. Melt Cheese: After the soup has simmered, remove the bay leaf. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with toasted bread and generous amounts of Gruyère cheese.
8. Broil: Place the bowls under the broiler for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
9. Serve: Carefully remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Following these steps will ensure you create a wonderfully rich and flavorful French Onion Soup that will impress anyone who tastes it.