What Makes Bread Different? "Part 1"

What's the difference in bread recipes? Have you ever asked yourself this question? Maybe your new to baking bread and just want to lear more? Whatever the case lets talk bread!

There is a difference in bread recipes. Obviously if you go to a bakery or the grocery store your going to have a variety to choose from... Sourdough, whole wheat, gluten free, brioche, french bread just to name a few. But whats the difference and how can we make them at home? Then there's all different shapes you have baguettes, rolls, buns, rounds loafs the occasional pretzel. Or as my husband would say "preznuls"...

Lets compare. Sourdough bread is wonderful. Its made with a fermented yeast or a "starter". Because its fermented its very good for your gut health restoring and balancing probiotics! Sourdough like marriage takes commitment... If you want to make sourdough regularly you'll need to keep a starter alive and feed it almost daily. depending on if you make a wet or dry starter. It also takes a lot of rise time.... Up side to that you get more bang for your buck. But be prepared to stay near the kitchen as it can take up to 5 hours or longer depending on your recipe. My suggestion make multiple loafs to make it worth your time.

French bread on the other hand is quick and diverse. It can be a baguette, loaf or round. French bread can typically be made in a few hours with one or two proofs. But the texture.... the typical "bread in a rush" recipes are a type of french bread and call for all purpose flour, water, sugar, and yeast. Now it will be yummy but not ideal for slicing it tends to be crummy. If you want a bread bowl or dinner roll they’re wonderful. Or if you have time to rise and shape 10 different times the texture will be better. But like most of us thats not really practical. So eggs? Why eggs FOR TEXTURE.. This will dramatically change your bread by adding structure. It will give your bread color and richness and some nice air bubbles if shaped gently. I'll make a video showing all the differences in this french bread recipe!

Whats the difference between french bread and brioche?? Nothing.. Because french bread is a umbrella term for a variety of breads made in the region... Brioche is a french bread but it contains more butter and eggs. The topic of bread can can go forever. Don’t get overwhelmed or discouraged. There's no reason you can’t bake all kinds of bread and experiment with what ingredients you like best. Its not as scary as it looks! In part 2 we will discuss flour and how that can effect your baking.

Join me on this bread journey!!

Happy Baking