Baking ~ Foodies Wanted

[Novelafemme]

Hello Fellow Bakers

I watched a bunch of youtube videos yesterday on how to bake bread and now I think I know what I was doing wrong.

#1. The water I put the yeast into was waaaay too hot and was killing the yeast. I learned that the perfect yeast brewing temp. is 115 degrees. I went out and bought a cooking thermometer so I can check it out first.

#2. Only use about a tablespoon of sweetener or else it will also overwhelm the yeast.

#3. After adding flour to the yeasty water, mix just until the clumps are gone, cover and let it double in size.

I also think I was kneeding it way too hard. This guy said to be care you don't tear the dough and put just a little bit of pressure on it.

Oh hell, here's the video

http://youtu.be/-Rjd1NZfG4Y

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

Hello Fellow Bakers

I watched a bunch of youtube videos yesterday on how to bake bread and now I think I know what I was doing wrong.

#1. The water I put the yeast into was waaaay too hot and was killing the yeast. I learned that the perfect yeast brewing temp. is 115 degrees. I went out and bought a cooking thermometer so I can check it out first.

#2. Only use about a tablespoon of sweetener or else it will also overwhelm the yeast.

#3. After adding flour to the yeasty water, mix just until the clumps are gone, cover and let it double in size.

I also think I was kneeding it way too hard. This guy said to be care you don't tear the dough and put just a little bit of pressure on it.

Oh hell, here's the video

http://youtu.be/-Rjd1NZfG4Y

Yay! This looks like great advice.

Always have to remember that yeast is a living thing...and needs to be handled like a baby...warm water, something to eat and gentle handling.

I do the first kneading instead of mixing, and I add a little more sweetener...but those are pretty minor differences.

You're right....if the water is too hot, the yeast is killed and then you have flatbread.

[Sassy]

I love to bake. Though the past few months I haven't had much time to indulge in the kitchen. The last recipe I tested was a play off of a caramel macchiatto from Starbucks. Chocolate cake with coffee glaze and caramel frosting. The test run got rave reviews from my coworkers. If I get time to bake in the next few weeks it's top of my list to make again and aim for perfection

The chocolate cake wasn't "chocolaty" enough so the next go 'round will be devils food with dutch processed cocoa. The coffee glaze was smashingly yummy, not changing a thing there. And the caramel frosting was entirely too sickly sweet -- made with melted Brachs caramel candies. This time I'm going to ignore my lazy streak and make a real caramel sauce for the buttercream frosting.

[WingsOnFire]

Originally Posted by Sassy

I love to bake. Though the past few months I haven't had much time to indulge in the kitchen. The last recipe I tested was a play off of a caramel macchiatto from Starbucks. Chocolate cake with coffee glaze and caramel frosting. The test run got rave reviews from my coworkers. If I get time to bake in the next few weeks it's top of my list to make again and aim for perfection

The chocolate cake wasn't "chocolaty" enough so the next go 'round will be devils food with dutch processed cocoa. The coffee glaze was smashingly yummy, not changing a thing there. And the caramel frosting was entirely too sickly sweet -- made with melted Brachs caramel candies. This time I'm going to ignore my lazy streak and make a real caramel sauce for the buttercream frosting.

I would love to hear how it goes!! I downloaded an ebook on delicious coffees like starbucks.. I cant wait to play with them.

[WingsOnFire]

Ok, its official!! I am finally feeling better enough to bake. I am going to try JustJo's banana cake today... everyone else is going to a Trans meeting so I will have the house to myself to bake!!