I’ll keep this short and sweet (or not), just like the bread I baked. I’m sure you have heard of the expression “h-e-double hockey sticks?” Well, I had an h-e-double hockey sticks of a time with this bread, as you can see. The Portuguese Sweet Bread from the Bread Baker’s Apprentice Challenge actually turned into something more like h-e-double hockey pucks in my hands. Completely inedible. And I know it was my fault, because several fellow bakers turned out cloud-like, billowy, luscious-looking loaves.
I can guess it had something to do with my attitude. I’ve only had this type of bread in the orange and brown wrapper. And I didn’t like it at all. So I was less than thrilled to make it. And you see what I got. That’s all the proof I need that Like Water For Chocolate is a true story, and not magical realism at all. Next up is Potato Rosemary Bread, which turned out much better. And, yes, I had a better attitude while making it. I’ll share it with you later this week.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Misery loves company….. Your bread looks spectacular compared to my “production” of yesterday. I haven’t blogged about it yet, I am still a little traumatized.
life goes on, we cannot win them all, right?
Don’t you just hate it when it doesn’t turn out like it’s supposed to. I’m trying to keep it all in perspective by telling myself that this whole Challenge is about us learning, and as we all know, learning is going to involve some failures as well as triumphs. Good try!
Someone once said, “Mistakes are how we learn.” Look at it that way!
Have a wonderful holiday season.
Twitter: ap269
January 20, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Twitter: @ap269
Look at it that way: your post was the reason why I didn’t put my loaf in a 9-inch pan, but in a 6-inch pan because I was sooooo afraid otherwise it would flatten like yours did. And the result was a very yummy bread. So, I want to say thank you!
You are very welcome. Anytime my disaster can help someone else, I figure it’s a mess with an up-side to it!
I can’t figure out what the issue is. I tried this recipe TWICE and both batches turned out just like yours, actually worse–dry and flat. But I, too, saw those beautiful loaves our co-bakers turned out. Too bad. I am glad the other recipes have largely been wonderful!
Twitter: fakeginger
March 31, 2010 at 6:10 am
Twitter: @fakeginger
Gah, I wish I’d seen this before I started my loaf. I used a 9 inch pan and it’s filled out the bottom, but isn’t rising much. I just moved it outside hoping the heat will help so we’ll see.