Yes, this is my first-ever Salt Bread creation. The color is pretty accurate, but the signature flaky chewiness is gone, replaced by the texture of pure, tough muscle. 💪
I had always hoped that one day I would make a ‘proper’ loaf of yeast bread. Unfortunately, this initial process proved incredibly difficult, leading to an utter disaster with clear reasons:
The Reasons for Failure:
- Skipping a Crucial Ingredient: No bread flour (high-protein flour) was available, so I had to skip it entirely. If you want to avoid my mistake, it’s vital to understand the science behind bread flour and gluten development. ↗
- Premature Abandonment: I eventually abandoned the third proof halfway through, sealing the fate of my Salt Bread.
The Kneading Challenge:
As I frantically kneaded the dough, my arms felt like they were about to detach from my body. The painful thought that kept running through my mind was: I desperately need to build up my basic physical strength. Does one really have to start bulking up just to bake a loaf of bread? The immediate next thought: Register for the GYM immediately! While this mental chain reaction continued, the dough failed to reach that expected glossy, plump state. Instead, it remained a frustratingly sticky mess, stubbornly clinging to my hands. My final resolution: I’ll just buy bread next time. Seoul now has an overwhelming number of incredible bakery shops with such a wide selection. Too wide, in fact…
The Lesson:
The golden rule of baking is to adhere strictly to the recipe and steps; only then can you hope for a decent outcome. I understood this truth, but ultimately, my body gave up under the strain… Ultimately, it might have been a different story if I had a stand mixer (or dough machine). Also, considering the serious amount of butter required, I’m genuinely hesitant to make it again—or even eat this dense result.
Nevertheless, the process of baking remains a form of meditative escape.
I am writing this post to document my failure, hoping that this case study will be helpful to other first-time bakers like myself and prevent others from making the same mistakes.
This was my first time trying salt bread, but don’t worry—I do have reliable recipes for macarons, walnut pie, carrot cake, and scones. Stay tuned! My successful baking adventures will be posted soon.
