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c/bakersthe_faiththe_faith12d ago

My kid asked if bread dough is just a really slow pancake batter

Heard that while I was kneading a batch of sourdough last Tuesday, and it actually made me think about hydration levels. My basic white loaf is about 65% water, but my pancake batter is closer to 150%. Anyone have a good way to explain baker's percentages to a 7-year-old?
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3 Comments
gibson.sarah
Huh, that's a sharp observation from a kid. So if pancake batter is basically soup, does that make bread dough just really thick mud? I'm curious how you even start explaining ratios to someone that young.
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jessica_robinson23
Forget ratios, start with their HANDS. Let them feel the difference between pancake soup and bread mud. That thick mud dough teaches them what "too much flour" means way better than numbers. Do you think kids even need the math first, or just the physical experience? My niece learned by making a total gluey mess and then fixing it.
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alex307
alex3075d ago
Numbers help, but @jessica_robinson23 is right about the feel.
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