Team Kramer from Wauwatosa, WI (All Ten Challenges)

Baker

Team Kramer

Location

Wauwatosa, WI

Baking Challenge

Star Baker

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

Perhaps the most difficult part of this whole challenge was setting aside the time to do the bakes. We knew our summer would be busy, but then doesn’t summer always seem too busy? We decided we would make the time to do this and we were so glad we did. Sometime the baking didn’t start until late Saturday night and turned into a midnight bake. But we always kept it fun and the more challenges we did the more we enjoyed it.

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

The braided ("plaited" in British translation) beer bread was one of our favorites. Perhaps because it combined two of our favorites – Leinenkugel’s beer and Wisconsin cheese. Kelly looked at several YouTube videos to find a braided bread style she wanted to do and ended up choosing a five strand braided bread. However after completing the braid we found the bread was too long to fit in our oven! Hilarious! So we turned the one long braid into a circle. We still laugh about that one. Also this bread challenge was our way to acknowledging Leinenkugel’s 150th birthday. Side note: we did a weekend getaway to Chippewa Falls to join in the Leinenkugel’s birthday celebration in early August and had a great time.

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?

Since Wisconsin is the leading producer of cranberries perhaps a challenge to come up with something really spectacular using cranberries. How about a Cranberry Kringle or other fancy torte or cake? Leaning toward the Cranberry Kringle though. Definitely something beyond the typical cranberry bread or muffins. We would look for that great balance between the sweetness of the dessert and the tartness of the cranberry. Also decoration/look of the pastry or cake would be key. It would have to look good enough to please Mary Berry.

How did you do?

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