I’m slowly catching up with the rest of the BBA Challenge crew, though summer keeps trying to derail my plans. Baking in the summer is always a challenge for me, whether it’s the heat making the kitchen unbearably hot or the distractions of three boys, each with his own agenda. The boys were my distraction [...]

When done properly, Challahs are one of my favorite breads. The shape is beautiful, especially the celebration breads with multiple layers or multiple braids or when adorned with raisins or seeds. I enjoyed making this loaf, though I had a few distractions along the way that caused the dough to over rise twice. Then I [...]

The next brioche in the BBA Challenge was an Italian variation, a casatiello, which is usually made with some type of cured meat and cheese. Reinhart suggests a good melting cheese such as Swiss, Gouda, Cheddar or any of their variations. For meats he suggests salami, pepperoni, bacon, pancetta, chorizo, or sausage. I chose some [...]

It’s been a month since I last posted a BBA Challenge bread, a deliberate decision on my part. Our air conditioning was out for 29 days and since the kitchen is the hottest room in our house even with functioning air conditioning, I just couldn’t bring myself to turn on the oven and add to [...]

Even though it was originally intended for Christmas, this is a bread I would gladly bake any time of year. The BBA Challenge bread for this week was Artos, Greek celebration breads, and I chose the fruited Christmas version, Christopsomos. My family adored this orange and spice flavored bread, and I can easily imagine making [...]