The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

70th birthday loaf?

Cellarvie's picture
Cellarvie

70th birthday loaf?

I want to make a loaf as a surprise gift for a friend's 70th birthday.  She has been my most enthusiastic supporter  and taster on my baking journey, so I want to spoil her, and I'm up for a challenge.  Any suggestions?

yozzause's picture
yozzause

 You could make a cob or batard and put a twist on the top in the shape of 70 or you could make a plait with  the shape of a 7 and 0

 similar to this but shaped for the purpose the twist can be rolled thinner perhaps.

 

Econprof's picture
Econprof

Are some of the most special loaves I know.

Chocolate version: https://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/24684/sourdough-chocolate-marble-loaf-must-laminate-can039t-stop

Classic laminated loaf (very beautiful): https://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/26357/laminated-sandwich-loaf-best-both-worlds

Version with some whole wheat: https://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/26888/ww-laminated-sandwich-loaves-sourdough-want-some-golden-bricks-your-profile

Pumpkin version: https://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/31416/pumpkin-laminated-sandwich-loaf-and-other-holiday-goodies

If you’re looking for something more healthful, a pumpernickel that requires an extra long bake would be special. For instance, Horst Bandel’s Black Pumpernickel (from Hamelman). There are many posts about it. Here’s one:

https://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/17254/horst-bandel039s-balck-pumpernickel

 

 

Cellarvie's picture
Cellarvie

Thank you all for your suggestions which really stimulated my thinking (and ambition). Here’s an update on what I did. The dough is the Country Bread recipe, page 105 in Jeffrey Hamelman’s Bread book, shaped into a figure 70.  To maintain definition I chilled the dough for the final shaping and proofing, but it still lost some shape.  Also, during baking it expanded more than I was expecting but thankfully it just (and only just) still fitted in my domestic oven. It wasn't perfect, but it produced a big smile from the birthday girl and added to the fun.

Benito's picture
Benito

That is a lovely celebratory loaf to celebrate a 70th birthday!

Benny

Econprof's picture
Econprof

Excellent choice and I bet she loved it!