Marie from Sun Prairie, WI (All Ten Challenges)

Baker

Marie

Location

Sun Prairie, WI

Baking Challenge

Star Baker

What was the most difficult challenge that you faced during any bake? And how did you overcome it?

The most difficult challenge I ran into each and every week was time! Same as all the contestants on the Great British Baking Show! I am a busy mom of three kids so finding the time to try new recipes proved to be tricky some weeks. Participating in this challenge has helped me to overcome that way of thinking. I was able to include my kids in a lot of the baking and, of course, eating! As far as the most challenging bake, it had to be my Lemon Lime Meringue FAIL in week 6. The meringue took me three tries and way too many eggs but I stuck with it and was rewarded with a very shiny meringue that toasted nicely in the oven. Now if only the filling had turned out!

Which Wisconsin twist were you most proud of, and why?

Honestly I am very proud of each one of the Wisconsin Twists I came up with. I feel as though I stayed fairly creative throughout the Challenge and really incorporated several unique Wisconsin ideas! If I had to choose a favorite, it’s probably my Brandy Old Fashioned Viennese Whirls from Week 2, followed closely by Bread Hot Chili Peppers in Week 3. The BOF Whirls were absolutely delicious and rich with orange zest in the cookies and a beautiful homemade cherry jam and a heaping helping of brandy in the buttercream! The were a huge hit and I will definitely be making them again. Bread Hot Chili Peppers paid homage to so many of my favorite Wisconsin things, such as the Dane County Farmers Market, Beer, Summerfest, and Cheese! Also a recipe that has been added to my favorites list!

If you were to draft a baking challenge for Wisconsin bakers, what would you like them all to make? And what would you be looking for if you were the judge?

If I were to challenge a fellow baker, I think the first thing would be to challenge them to make something they’ve never made before! Push yourself and see what you’re made of! As far a specific challenge, I really enjoyed making the Kringle in Week 5 and I would choose it as a challenge seeing as it is the Wisconsin State Pastry. I would be judging the flakiness of the crust, creativity, the overall presentation, and hopefully… the taste! Yum!

How did you do?

I participated in all 10 Great Wisconsin Baking challenges this summer – I’m a Star Baker!