I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to complete the Daring Baker’s challenge this month because I’ve been feeling very tired. My energy levels have been dropping ever since I entered the 3rd trimester, which makes sense considering how big the baby (yeah, the baby NOT me! 😛 ) is getting. It’s difficult to walk around and do things and most importantly, I found out how difficult it is to roll out dough on a counter that is slightly higher than waist high when you have a belly this big! LOL That was fun!
This month’s challenge was something was interesting, it was a Danish Braid. Danish dough is in the family of butter-laminated doughs but not as complicated to make as say puff pastry. The recipes for this challenges usually yield large quantities and quite frankly, I hate it because there is just two of us in the house and more often than not we don’t finish whatever it is I baked. It hurts me because I put so much work into it but at the same time I realize a person can only have so much of one thing before getting sick of it. As a matter of fact, I still have half of the dough in the fridge because I had to split into two to make it manageable for us. Even then, we haven’t finished the braid, there’s about a third left.
So, just 3 days before posting day, I decided I was going to go ahead, suck it up, and complete the challenge. I made the dough one day and finished the braid off the next. It was time consuming but not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. I have to say I am not crazy about the dough. I was expecting it to be flakier and it’s quite bready. I’m also not crazy about the orange and cardamom in it. To each their own. However, I did love the apple filling and this is what I was making that I had caramelized apples left over from to make the ice cream in the previous post.
I can’t say that’s there been any Daring Bakers challenge that I have loved but they have all challenged me as a baker in one way or another. I’ve learned something new with every single one and that’s really what it’s all about.
To see the recipe, check out the hostess’ entry over at Sass & Veracity.
Lorrie
both of your braids look delicious, great photos!
glamah16
Great job consodering the extra fatique in making it. Hang in there. Soon you will be holding you precious baby.
Jen Yu
Gorgeous! I’m glad you were able to make the braids despite your tiredness. Not much longer before you’ll be done with pregnancy and well into motherhood! 🙂
Beth
Yours looks yummy. I wish I had put icing on mine. Will have to be more advenurous next month. Oh and I know exactly what you mean about the baby bump. I had a baby last year and even the simplest of tasks (like putting shoes on) became almost impossible!!
kitten
your braids look wonderful! it was a recipe that yielded quite a lot of bread. i froze a lot of my extras to share with my hubby when he gets back into town.
Ally
I ended up making 2 small braids (one for us and one for mom)and savory pinwheels that I am freezing. I agree with the amount for just 2, but then by hubbys an my coworkers love us! ; )
You braid looks great, a lot fluffier than mine!
madcapcupcake
Your braids look delicious!!
Robyn
Your braid looks great and I agree that the apple filling was delicious! I can only imagine how the belly and fatigue must have made it more difficult.
Speedbump Kitchen
Beautiful braids! Congratulations on the 3rd trimester. My two favorite things about labor: 1.) Having a baby 2.) Not being pregnant anymore! Make sure hubby brings you a big spicy dinner after the baby comes that you can enjoy without heartburn!
breadchick
June, those braids look wonderful, especially considering how tired you must be! Great job.
Molly Loves Paris
Well done for a quite pregnant lady. Your braid looks very nice. It’s really all right to make any Daring Baker recipe smaller than what is provided. I think “smaller” is an art.
Meeta
June this looks sensational. Kudos to you for doing this despite the tiredness. Well done!
Rosa's Yummy Yums
Your braids look gorgeous! Very well done!
cheers,
Rosa
DaviMack
Yep – it’s definitely much more of a bread than that flaky pastry you’d find in traditional Danish. I think that maybe it’d be good to make into buns or something, for the holidays, without all of the folding & that.
As to the leftovers: you don’t just send them along to work or something? I’m always taking mine to work, or to relatives, or what have you – it certainly makes them all happy!
Katie B.
Great job – and even more stunning knowing how tired you were!!
Deborah
I’m impressed that you did this in your 3rd trimester! Dedication! It looks wonderful, even if you didn’t really love it!
Sweet Tooth
My third trimester I spent on bed rest (twice!), so I am always very impressed by women who still move around – and laminating dough by hand – well done indeed!
Alexandra
Dragon
Your braid is lovely. Great entry.
Candace
Your braid looks fantastic June! Very nice job on it!
jennycestcake
Your braid looks great! I love your name, too! I named my daughter June (she’s 15 months old). It’s a classic!
Dolores
Rolling pastry dough in your third trimester?!? You *are* a Daring Baker… great job! I’m only sorry you weren’t happier with the end result of your effort.
Jeanne
That braid looks spectacular – and well done you for persevering and making it. I wouldn’t have the energy for making this and I’m not even pregnant 😉