My 2017 Baking Essential Challenge ~ Get Set and Go!

In this crazy, turbulent, disruptive year of 2017 I am feeling the need to find some way to cope with change and to set some structure that will keep my focus off of changing policy and politics, and on something educational and constructive.  So after much thought, I decided to give myself a year to regain my long lost baking skills.  In March, Irv and I binge watched the Great British Baking Show and while I could not even begin to gain the depth of knowledge, master design and flavors, and develop the breadth of skills these amateur bakers possess, I can use some serious improvement while also trying techniques and recipes that I have never tried.

Here is my list for the year -- starting out easy (at least for me) with a focus on egg based creations, moving into flour/sugar bakes (various cakes, icings and fillings), then tackling a few specialty baking items (I am assuming I will have gained some skill at this point).  I then plan to try various types of yeast and soda leavened breads.  As I go into the Fall, I am going to try different kinds of cookies, bars, crackers and biscuits, followed by some sweets and candies.  Finally, I will confront my demons - pastry dough in all its various forms. I may change up the order, and certainly can tackle a number of items at the same time (for instance, profiteroles with homemade ice cream).

Here's my list.  I will be posting for posterity and my own record keeping.  My personal weight (and that of Irv's) will NOT be posted at the same time.   Most of the finished products will (hopefully) be going to my office mates or to friends and relatives.

P.S. This baking challenge is corresponding with the delivery of a new in-home tread mill! 😃

Pate a Choux

1.     Cream Puffs – Plain

2.     Cream Puffs – Chocolate

3.     Profiteroles

4.     Eclairs

5.     Gougeres

                  Fillings for Above

1.     Pastry Cream – Vanilla

2.     Pastry Cream – Chocolate

3.     Ice Cream (Homemade)

4.     Chantilly Cream

                  Souffles

1.     Sweet

2.     Savory

                  Crepes and Pancakes

1.     Crepes – Dessert

2.     Crepes - Savory

3.     Dutch Baby Pancake

4.     German Puffed Pancake

5.     Kaiserschmarren Viennese Dessert Souffle Pancake

6.     Clafouti

                  Custards, Puddings and Curds

1.     Pot de Creme

2.     Crème Brule

3.     Flan

4.     Panna  Cotta

5.     Banana Pudding

6.     Lemon Curd

7.     Zabaglione

8.     Sabayon

9.     Budino

10.  American Pudding (chocolate, butterscotch, vanilla)

11.  Rice or Tapioca Pudding

12.  British Bread and Butter Pudding

13.  Steamed Pudding

14.  Mousse

15.  Fruit Fool

                  Meringue

1.     Pavlova – large

2.     Pavlova  - mini

3.     Floating Island

4.     Baked Alaska (using Italian Meringue)

5.     Pie or Cake/Cupcake with Meringue Topping

Ice Cream

1.     Basic Custard – single flavor

2.     Basic Custard – complex

3.     Gelato

4.     Sorbet – Fruit

5.     Sorbet - Other

6.     Ice Cream Sundae

7.     Ice Cream Float

8.     Semi Freddo

9.     Bombe

10.  Granita

Sugar and Baking

Cakes

1.     Shortened (Butter) Layer Cake

2.     Sponge Cake – Genoise

3.     Sponge Cake – Jelly roll/roulade

4.     Dacquoise

5.     Baby or Small Cake (any kind)

6.     6 layer cake

7.     Cake with Fruit or Vegetable (Apple, Lemon, Orange, Carrot, Coconut, etc)

8.     Bundt Cake

9.     Tube Cake

10.  Coffee Cake

11.  Muffins

12.  Madeleines

13.  Pound Cake

14.  Lady Fingers

15.  Molten Chocolate Cake

16.  Flourless Cake

17.  Torte

18.  Unbaked/No Bake Cake (ice cream, icebox)

                  Fillings and Icings

1.     Buttercream

2.     Cream Cheese

3.     Glaze (Chocolate)

4.     Glaze (Confectionary Sugar)

5.     7 minute

6.     Ganache

7.     Whipped Cream

8.     Lemon Curd or other fruit curd

Specialty Baking

1.     Tiramisu

2.     Charlotte

3.     Cheesecake

4.     Rum Baba

5.     Doughnuts

6.     Beignets

7.     Lady Fingers

8.     Churros

9.     Cannoli

10.  Baklava

11.  Tarte Tatin

Breads

1.     No Knead Artisanal Bread

2.     French Baguette

3.     Pita Bread

4.     Popovers

5.     Brioche

6.     Yeasted Coffee Cake

7.     Quick or Soda Bread

8.     Babka

Cookies, Bars, Crackers and Biscuits

Cookies

1.     Drop Cookies

2.     Bar Cookies

3.     Refrigerator Cookies

4.     Shaped or Spritz Cookies

5.     Cookie Cutter Cookies

6.     Brownies

7.     Italian – Biscotti

8.     Italian – Pignoli

9.     French – Longue-de-chat

10.  French – Macarons

11.  French – Tuile

                  Crackers and Biscuits

1.     British Style Scones

2.     Buttermilk Biscuits

Sweets and Candies

1.     Marshmallows

2.     Brittle

3.     Bark

4.     Chocolate Truffles

5.     Caramel Sauce

Pastry and Pies

1.     Pate Brisee - Pies

2.     Pate Sucree - Tarts

3.     Puff Pastry - Croissants

4.     Hot Water Crust – Meat Pies

5.     Turnovers/Hand Pies – sweet or savory

6.     Danish Pastry

7.     Specialty Bread (e.g., Polish Poppyseed Roll, Greek Easter Bread, Challah)