My recent Easter bun baking adventure turned into an unexpected lesson in reframing success. I’ve ventured on a sourdough baking adventure for the last couple of months, having been convinced of its superiority in all things baked. So naturally, I decided to tackle the Jamaican Easter bun, a beloved tradition and personal favorite, with my trusted sourdough starter.
My ambitious plan? Transforming a yeast-based recipe into a sourdough masterpiece.
Armed with research and enthusiasm, I embarked on my experiment. I followed the modified sourdough bread-making process, anticipating a longer rise time than with commercial yeast, especially since the traditional Easter bun contains other ingredients such as spices, butter and other fruits, things that are not used in traditional sourdough bread.
I prepared my dough, and set it aside to rise, I waiting with much anticipation, but even after eight long hours, my dough remained stubbornly flat. Disappointment washed over me – I concluded that something in my mixture had sabotaged my starter, which was apparently now dead!
Faced with a sticky situation (literally!), I had a choice: trash the batter or try to salvage it. My inner baker couldn’t bear to waste it, so I opted for a mini-loaf experiment. I took out a small amount of dough, and baked it up in a mini loaf pan. As expected, it emerged dense, flat and, well, not very bun-like.
Instead of admitting defeat, I decided to take the challenge to see if I can redefine success. Could I still create a delicious bun, even if it wasn’t the sourdough dream I envisioned?
With renewed determination, I embarked on “Operation Bun Rescue.” Eggs, baking powder, baking soda, and even a splash of my favorite stout went into the mix. And lo and behold, after a good couple of minutes in my trusted mixer, my bun dough was transformed into a bun batter, ready to face the test! So into my pre-heated oven my batter went!
Imagine my anticipation throughout the process! Will my bun rise? Or will the result be smile to my monopod pan test? I kept peeking through the oven window, and I could see success on the horizon. The final result? A beautiful, fragrant, and tasty Easter bun! It had all the required characteristics: the correct density, structure and taste. It might not have been the sourdough triumph I initially imagined, but it was a tasty success nonetheless.
Here are three life lessons I baked up along with my bun:
- Flexibility is Key: Sometimes, our initial plan doesn’t pan out. The ability to adapt and adjust our approach is crucial to achieving our goals. Don’t be afraid to deviate from your chosen ‘recipe’ to try something new.
- Embrace the Unexpected: “Failures” often hold valuable lessons and unexpected opportunities. My “failed” sourdough attempt led me to a new and improved bun recipe.
- Redefine Success: Success doesn’t always look the way we expect. It’s about progress, learning, and achieving a positive outcome, even if it’s different from our original vision.
So, the next time you’re faced with a “flop,” remember my Easter bun adventure. Take a deep breath, reframe your perspective, and see if you can transform that apparent failure into delicious success.
What about you? Have you had any baking or life adventures that taught you valuable life lessons? Share your stories in the comments below!
