It’s the middle of my holiday Panettone baking season. I’ve baked multiple batches and enjoyed giving them as gifts. As I was sitting this morning enjoying coffee and panettone with my wife I began to reflect on my bakes.
It is useful at times to pause and consider how far you’ve actually progressed in terms of your understanding and technique. At times I can get caught up in what I’m currently capable of doing and the areas I “need to improve” without appreciating the totality of my progress.
Here are comparisons of my very first panettone bake and this season’s similar bakes:
Clearly I’ve improved in my bakes. Apparently, taking notes, being mindful of variables, being willing to take in information and apply what I’ve learned with intentionality has worked.
I’ve learned that baking panettone is both art and science. Of all that I bake panettone is the most technique-intensive (and unforgiving if you’re inattentive). It is also one of the most rewarding bakes I’ve ever done. I look forward to baking this during the holidays.
I’m thankful that I took the risk to attempt to learn to bake panettone and persisted through my first bakes…. A little grace to myself as I started was appropriate.
Baked By Bear Sourdough 