I went hunting for shaping video this week and a perfect one popped up in my own archive. Me, sub rolls, same exact technique as a baguette. Don't let the size throw you. Sub rolls are about the same length as a full sub sandwich, which is right in the baguette range. The shaping move is identical. Pre-shape, rest, fold, roll, taper. That's the move whether you're making a 14-inch baguette or a 12-inch sub roll. Watch the hands. Heads up: this is an older video with music, no narration. Hooked on Classics. The pace is a bit quick because I'm running through a batch. Watch it twice. First time for the flow. Second time to catch the moves. The step-by-step below tracks exactly what my hands are doing. Here's what I'm doing, step by step: Pre-shape. I'm shaping the dough into a rough log already. Pre-shape isn't a round for baguettes. It's an elongated shape because that's where the dough is heading anyway. Less work on the final shape if you start it pointed in the right direction. The rest. Bench rest 15 to 20 minutes. The dough relaxes. Skip this and the dough will fight you on the final roll. Stretch the ends. Take the dough by the two ends and stretch it gently. Just a little. You're waking up the length without tearing the gluten. First fold. Fold the two ends in toward the center, about an inch or two each. You're building structure. Top to center. Fold the top edge down into the middle. Flip and repeat. Turn the whole thing around and fold the new top edge down into the middle again. You're stacking layers of tension. Seal it. Take the top edge one more time, fold it all the way over, and press the seam closed with the heel of your hand. That seam is what holds the shape during proof. Roll and taper. Hands flat. Start in the middle, roll outward, narrow the ends as you go. The roll elongates the loaf. The taper points it. Where it goes next. In the video I'm placing my rolls in silicone molds because that's what I'm baking in. For your bake Saturday, you're going onto a couche, seam-side up, with the linen pleats supporting the sides. Same shape. Different proofing surface.

This one started with a question. A member asked if I had a recipe for whole, fresh-milled einkorn, the kind you get from a local organic farmer, not the sifted commercial stuff. She'd tried baking with it and ended up with a dense loaf that dried out by day three. She wasn't doing anything wrong. Einkorn just doesn't behave like modern wheat. So I built one. Fresh-Milled Einkorn Sourdough is now live in the Recipe Pantry, and it's designed for the grain as it actually arrives in real kitchens. Whole. Fresh-milled. Full of bran, germ, and flavor. What's in it: - A 100% einkorn levain that adapts your starter to the grain before you bake - Optional 70/30 einkorn-spelt blend for better structure and shelf life - The traditional dough conditioner system (vitamin C and lecithin) that old Amish recipes have used for generations, with the science explained - Gentle handling, short bulk, and cooler bake temps because einkorn is fragile and browns fast - An overnight cold retard for flavor depth This is one of the oldest grains humans ever domesticated. It rewards bakers who learn its rules. Eat it day one, toast it day two, freeze the rest. If you've been curious about ancient grains, this is your way in. Recipe link: https://pantry.bakinggreatbread.com/recipes/fresh-milled-einkorn-sourdough A yeasted version is coming for anyone who wants the same flavor on a same-day schedule. Drop a comment if you bake it. I want to see how it turns out. Henry ⭐🔥

A different kind of post today. I'll be back to baguettes tomorrow. Some of you have followed Ryan's track and field journey through posts here over the years. He just won his third Conference Carolinas Championship in the javelin, set the conference meet record, and was named FMU Team MVP for the third year in a row. In three weeks he competes at the NCAA Division II National Championships at Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kansas. Two weeks after that, he receives his master's degree. The NCAA is covering his trip. I'm covering mine. I'd like to be in the stands. A handful of folks have asked how they can help. Here's what I've put in place. Cleared in writing by FMU compliance. None of it goes to Ryan. Every dollar is for parent travel. If you want to follow Ryan's story, his page is here: https://faith-field-flow.lovable.app If you want to chip in for the trip: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-cheer-ryan-at-ncaa-nationals Sharing helps as much as giving. Thank you for being part of this. Back to baguettes tomorrow. — Henry ⭐🔥

Experience breeds confidence.

About 20 years ago now - I decided I really wanted to learn how to make sourdough artisan bread. I read what I could, and this was well before you could find anything on Youtube - so I went to the local technical college where they had a culinary school (later one of my son's would graduate from that school) and asked them for advice - they told me about using a Dutch oven. Later I asked a local bakery if they could give baking lessons - this bakery has the best bread around - and they said no. (though I have to say that bread probably isn't even close to @Henry Hunter 's) Over the years I've gotten better - but without people to talk to about what's going right, what's not and WHY things happen - it was very slow going. And then this community happened. Just wanted to tell you all how grateful I am for you and for this space.