I’ve only recently got into baking these last few months after losing my job and having the time to really try and learn. Most have come out pretty good so far.
I’d like to try to make everyone on my list (not many, like 10 or so people) some tasty bread for Christmas as a gift, I plan to aslo make apple butter and maybe something else to go along.
I’m just looking for ideas and tips as a beginner cooking several loaves for the first time. I don’t have a dutch oven, it’s been on my list for several Christmas’ but they’re just so expensive. So I would be using a good old oven for baking them.
I saw that putting a pan of water in the oven helps make it crispy. Anything else I can do to help with the process?
Thanks in advance for any help!
If you have a kitchen scale you can scale up a batch and divide the dough into however many pieces you like of about equal sizes. Many can do their last rise overnight in the fridge and be baked directly from the fridge into the oven, you can use a thermometer to 185-190F (85-87C) to determine that they are done.
If you want something festive you can do a quick-bread with dried cranberries and nuts, like a fruit cake but not necessarily as sweet. Many dollar stores or cheaper places will have small bread pans you can make personal loaves in.
That sounds great! Thank you!