Mystery of the Monster Loaf (sounds like a Scooby-Doo episode)
I have found that, compared to yeast breads, quick breads are rather boring to bake. It is really the same steps as baking cookies, a cake, or any other common baked good. There’s no lengthy process or poofy dough. Quick breads were quite predictable and mundane. At least that’s what I thought.
This week’s bake was Stout Bread. I was not anticipating liking this loaf much as I didn’t care for the Ale and Oat Loaf from a few weeks ago.
I started by gathering my ingredients. I chose Guinness because it is the only stout beer that I know about (an ex’s beer of choice). I looked for others, but among the dozens of craft beers and such in my local supermarket; I just picked up the Guinness. The Guinness, buttermilk, and baking soda made for a fizzy concoction!
I combined (not kneaded) all of the ingredients and formed my loaf. I let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes to give the buttermilk and baking soda time to work their magic. #chemistry
I then put it in the oven at 400F for about 30 minutes. Now comes the part where it actually got interesting. I am in the habit, probably because I am impatient, of peeking through the oven glass to see the progress of my bakes. The first time I looked, the loaf looked quite typical. It was getting larger. It was taking on some color. When the timer went off and I looked in the oven in preparation to remove my loaf for a temperature check, I was quite surprised. I found THIS craziness! What?!?! I laughed and laughed! (The cackling coming from our kitchen confused and concerned my husband).
How did this happen? I, for one, have no clue. Too much dough in the loaf pan? Too much baking soda? Regardless of the reason, I had to cut this bad boy open and see the crumb.
A bit tight in places, but it seemed to be a good bake. The taste? It was very good! It was a bit sweet and much milder than the other beer-infused loaf I had baked. It was very heavy though. Seriously, it had so much heft that I was concerned it could be used as a weapon!
At the end of it all, I counted this as a success and will most likely bake this bread again. I accomplished a lot of baking this weekend and needed help consuming the products of my labor. I sent this curvy beauty home with a co-worker who has two teenage boys. I knew it would be well received there. Teenage boys will eat anything.
Next week: I get fancy with CRUMPETS! I am excited to try them!