Lately I’ve been really paying attention to “desired dough temperature” as a variable in my process. Basically, it is about knowing what temperature you’d like your dough to be to get the peak reaction for whatever you’re trying to accomplish (e.g. bulk proving etc) To get to the desired dough temperature requires knowing the flourContinue reading “Creating Desired Dough Temperature (DDT)”
Author Archives: Jim Hayden
First Market Selling Baked Goods
Today is the Day! My friend invited me to attend her Mom’s Art Exhibit and sell my baked goods. For posterity I’ve attached a picture of her announcement All the practicing and thought into packaging has culminated in my being able to have everything ready to go this morning. This is indeed the most varietyContinue reading “First Market Selling Baked Goods”
Baking Day!!
Today’s the day! The first time I’ve baked this much bread in both variety and volume in a single day. GOAL: 8 Sourdough Batard and Boule loaves 24 Sourdough Croissants 12 Pain Au Chocolat sourdough croissants 10 sourdough Baguettes This is going to be quite the undertaking. Not only am I trying to juggle theContinue reading “Baking Day!!”
Sourdough Bread – Scaling Up (Bake Day)
I’m up and getting ready to bake. Not quite “Baker’s Hours” bu close enough. I had to start the coffee manually earlier than it is normally set to go off. Today I’m practicing baking four times since I can only fit two Dutch Ovens in my oven at a time. Pretty much “cottage baking”. AsideContinue reading “Sourdough Bread – Scaling Up (Bake Day)”
Sourdough Bread – Scaling Up
Continuing my theme of practicing first I’m attempting making 4X the loaves I normally bake. I chose 4X (8 loaves) due to my plastic tub, banneton, and refrigerator constraints. I also considered that I can only bake 2 loaves at a time and I’ll need to switch to baking croissants shortly after the last pairContinue reading “Sourdough Bread – Scaling Up”
Sourdough Baguettes – Scaling Up
Need to practice scaling up my recipe and leveraging past lessons on temperature control. Better to try one batch at a time than to try scaling up three different bakes concurrently. THAT could be a disaster! Today it is baguettes. I’m going to double my recipe and aim for 10 baguettes. My decision to doubleContinue reading “Sourdough Baguettes – Scaling Up”
Sourdough Croissants – Scaling Up
In previous posts I mentioned that I’m experimenting with “scaling up”. I’m exploring the “ What has to be true for THAT to be true?” question I constantly ask myself when working through problems. In this particular instance I’m wondering about ramping up croissant baking. Today’s experiment is covering a number of things: First, I’mContinue reading “Sourdough Croissants – Scaling Up”
Scaling Up – Sourdough Bread (Part 2 of 2)
Baked the four loaves of sourdough bread today vice my normal two. Things that I noted in baking the two batches of loaves: Rice flour is the bomb! Makes my loaves less inclined to stick to the bannetons Can’t preheat the lids for the second batch – not enough space in my oven Baking atContinue reading “Scaling Up – Sourdough Bread (Part 2 of 2)”
Scaling Up – Sourdough Bread
I decided that I’d try scaling up my bake and try four loaves instead of my normal two. I’ve a friend that wanted me to bring some bread to an event. As I think about this I’m always asking myself “What has to be true for THAT to be true?” It started with me makingContinue reading “Scaling Up – Sourdough Bread”
Sourdough Baguettes – Attempt #3 (Part 5)
They’re baked!! I’m pretty jazzed by the result. Lots to improve on but a much better outcome than last time! They remind me of little tuna fish actually. A little fat. Need to roll them a bit longer. I did as intending to put them on a scalloped holder and was shaping them a bitContinue reading “Sourdough Baguettes – Attempt #3 (Part 5)”
Baked By Bear Sourdough 