I am attempting to bake an athentic style panettone sweet bread for Christmas.My loaf rises well but is usually really dry or undercooked.Crust is hard and Flavor is just not right.I have found a number of recipes online but they do not come out like the loaf you buy in the stores.

Any ideas?

Hey all, I've been a professional baker for about 35 years and just started up a youtube channel to share my knowledge of the art of baking with you guys.  If you visit it by following this link http://www.youtube.com/user/JuliesCookingShow?feature=mhee  you can see my first video on how to make some delicious pecan dessert cups.  As I'm new to all this stuff I'd like you guys to tell me what you want to see and what I could improve on.  Also I would greatly appreciate it if you could help me out by spreading the word and subscribing.  Thanks thats all for now!! 

I am looking for anyone who has made more of a dessert pizza with their regular pizza crust....any great reipes????

Hi everybody,

Last night I was browsing through a few methods for bread on the grill, which I would love to attempt- we cook most of our meals (except for bread) on the grill. I was struck by an "awesome" idea while reading forum posts. What about a pie on the grill, cake? Does anybody have any ideas or suggestions? If I put a large dutch oven on the grill would it mimic the effect of being in a regular oven? Also what about baking in a loaf pan on the grill? Suggestions?? I'd really like to try this.

John

Taralli are a biscuit that is eaten by Italians any time of the day. It should be named the national biscotti because taralli are enjoyed by young and old. Wheather it is for breakfast, as a snack, dunked in wine, as a treat for children, they are a biscuit that fills every occasion.  They can be found  in every bakery, market and in every Italian home.  There are many preparations of taralli, but the one here is from the village where my grandparants come from, "Vieste (FG) Italy".

Puglian Taralli
Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 50 minutes 
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes @ 375 degrees F 
Yield: 5 Dozen

Dry Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour, unbleached

2 cups semolina flour

2 teaspoons dry yeast

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons fennel seeds, lightly crushed, or 1 tablespoon crushed black peppercorns, or 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

WET INGREDIENTS

1 cup dry white wine, warmed

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, warmed

DOUGH

Sprinkle the yeast over the warm wine and let it stand for several minutes, then stir it into the wine and mix well.  In a large bowl put all the remaining ingredients and your chosen seasoning. Mix and knead well until the dough is smooth and elastic.  Return to a clean bowl and cover the dough with plastic wrap or a dampened towel and let it rise for 30 minutes or longer in a warm place.

ASSEMBLY

Divide the dough into pieces. Roll them into 1/2” cylinders. Cut them into 6” lengths. Bring the two ends together and join them to make a round doughnut - like shape. Press your thumb on the ends to seal them.

BOILING

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and drop the taralli in a few at a time. When the taralli rise to the surface, remove them and put them on a clean towel to dry.

BAKE

Arrange the boiled taralli on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until they are golden brown.

Note:  When crushing the black pepper, do not use a grinder.  The finely ground powder from the pepper will make the taralli taste hot.  Use only hand crushed pieces.

 An old Italian say: "No matter what the argument, it can be resolved with a glass of wine and a handfull of taralli"

I made these last night.

Here's my blog post, plus the recipe.

In all honesty, the entire brownie baking night came about because I was bored and wanted something chocolate. The ranting about grocery store brownies was actually me being pissed at myself because I broke down and, instead of baking my much better tasting ones, bought some frosted ones at the store a few nights ago in a pregnancy-craving-induced spending spree.