Thursday, December 13, 2012

My Baking Addiction



Cinnamon bun  (Kanelbulle, Swedish)

When I was a little girl I dreamed about having a horse and living on a ranch. When I dreamed about work I didn´t dream about working with horses.

I wanted to be a baker. I was very sure of that. My mom baked a lot and she always took the time to let me have my own dough and to make my own bread (or pastries). She didn´t mind the mess and for that I´m forever grateful. I didn´t get to keep my mom for long, she died when I was 12 years old. Some of the best conversations we had were during our baking sessions. My favorite childhood memories surround those times with my mother baking in our tiny kitchen.

In 1995, three years after her death, I became a student at a baking school in Sweden. For three years I studied the art of baking at Palmcrantz Skolan. My studies included a lot of early mornings in the school bakery and in bakeries around the city of Östersund, Sweden (where the school is situated).

We also studied chemistry. Baking is actually a lot of chemistry! I will explain more about that later on and why knowledge about this makes baking easier, and not more complicated as some might think.

During my years in school I learned how to bake many different kinds of bread, pastries, cakes and cookies. Swedish bread and gourmet pastries are my specialties but not the only things I bake. I love experimenting and my opinion of a fun morning (when the rest of the family is still asleep) is making up new recipes.

My first boss used to say that we should practice "learning by doing." I like that! It´s something I still practice today.

Before the birth of my first child I stopped working professionally as a baker. The early morning work didn´t really match life with a baby. I loved working as a baker and I still love baking. I love everything about it; deciding what to bake, mixing the ingredients to exactly the right consistency, the feeling of the dough under my hands, the smell of the bread in the oven and the sight of perfect bread made by my own hands. It´s easy when you know how to do it, and I´m about to tell you just how easy it is!

This blog is only about baking. This is about baking from scratch. You won´t find any mixes in the recipes here.  I´m going to write about important things to think about while choosing ingredients, temperatures, fresh yeast v/s dry yeast, sourdough, baking with kids, and of course plenty of easy to follow recipes!




I´m more than happy to answer any questions you may have about baking.

Is there anything in particular you want me to write about? Just tell me!

I´m constantly asked when I´m going to start my baking blog and publish my first recipe book, now it´s finally happening. I´ve been very excited about writing a baker´s blog for a long time. However, a blog is only fun with interaction! Come on, join me and invite all your friends! The more the merrier. We´re going to have lots of fun together and I promise you that you will learn a lot about baking.

Looking forward to see you in my kitchen!

/Maria Northcutt

Ps. If you want to know more about me I also write a blog about my family´s ranch http://discoveringranchlife.blogspot.com.

16 comments:

  1. the world would be a happier place if we baked more bread! the smell of bread baking has got to be from heaven. My kids get happy if they come home from school and know I am making bread....
    I am your newest follower...looking forward to learning some new tips!!
    pls follow back if you can.

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    1. YES! I totally agree :D I bet they are. Not all kids are lucky enough to have a mom that bakes. Do they enjoy baking with you as well?

      I will definitely follow your awesome blog!

      Have a great day! Did you know that in Sweden it´s one of the biggest holidays today? It comes with a delicious pastry called "Lussekatter". The kids gets these pastries at school and the adults gets them at work. I will bake some later today and post the recipe here.

      xo Maria

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  2. Everything looks so yummy on your blog! I'm a new follower, and hope you will follow back!
    Thanks,
    Gina

    http://beautyloveandlipgloss.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you so much Gina! Looking forward to get to know you better :)

      xo Maria

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  3. I love baking and making bread also :) Your blog looks great! I saw your post on MBC and following you on GFC now. I look forward to your future posts!

    http://wvfrugal-wvsaver.blogspot.com/

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    1. Awesome!! Thank you so much! By the look of your blog you know what you´re talking about :D I´m tempted to try many of the recipes I saw there.

      Looking forward to get to know you better.

      xo Maria

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  4. I didn't know that you used to be a baker. How fun! Maybe I can learn some more things about baking here in the US. I still think it is a bit confusing when I have my Swedish recipes and then try to convert everything to US ingredients and measurements. Hugs to you!

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    1. I was for about 10 years. It is a little confusing converting recipes. I don´t do it very often,but I guess I have to do that now :)

      Have a great day!

      xo Maria

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  5. Maria, I newest follower visiting from Our Everyday Harvest,gosh I can almost smel the delightful fresh baked goodies.

    ~Jo @ LoblollyLane

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    1. Hi Jo! Very nice meeting You :) You have a very interesting blog, I´m looking forward to follow you.

      Let the baking begin! xo Maria

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  6. I love baking! But I haven't tried breads yet which I absolutely love!! The smell and the freshness of it. :) Welcome to the blogging world!! I can't wait to see some recipes!

    xo - Sheila
    www.sheislovelyblog.com

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    1. Lovely!! Let´s bake together :)

      Recipes are coming soon. Today I´m writing about a special holiday pastry my daughter and I baked yesterday.

      Thank you for your warm welcome. See you soon!
      xo Maria

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  7. I love baking also.... I look forward to reading your blog in the future! :-)

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    1. Awesome!! Let the baking begin! I´m looking forward to follow you :)

      /Maria

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  8. Homemade bread is the best! I can't wait to see your recipes! :-)

    Thank you for joining this week’s Harvest of Friends Weekend Blog Hop.

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    1. I couldn´t agree more!! Looking forward to share my passion for baking with you :)

      Thanks for hosting the bloghop this week. I found many very interesting blogs!

      Have a great weekend.

      xo Maria

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