Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Craftsy. I am sharing it because I am genuinely enthusiastic about their educational platform and, specifically, Peter Reinhart’s course. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

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Master the Art of Artisan Bread Baking with Peter Reinhart on Craftsy

The aroma of freshly baked bread is a universal comfort, a scent that transports us to simpler times and evokes feelings of warmth and home. For me, the journey into the world of bread baking began in childhood. I vividly recall standing on a chair beside my mother, my tiny hands helping to knead dough—a ritual that instilled in me a profound appreciation for what many call the “staff of life.” This early connection blossomed into a lifelong passion, evolving as trends shifted and the allure of artisan breads captured the collective imagination of home bakers everywhere. The desire to recreate those exquisite, professional-quality loaves—with their crisp crusts, open, airy crumbs, and deep, complex flavors—became a driving force.

For many years, the intricate knowledge required to bake truly exceptional artisan bread was a closely guarded secret, often passed down through generations in culinary schools or by fortunate individuals with European grandmothers blessed with angelic baking skills. However, the advent of the internet has democratized this once-exclusive knowledge, opening up a world of learning opportunities for aspiring bakers. Among these pioneering platforms, Craftsy stands out, and I’ve grown to adore it more with each passing day. They’ve forged a brilliant partnership with none other than my personal baking hero, Peter Reinhart, to offer a truly stellar online course: Artisan Bread Baking. This collaboration brings unparalleled expertise directly into your kitchen, making the dream of baking perfect artisan loaves a delicious reality.

My Personal Journey with Peter Reinhart: A Legacy of Loaves

My connection to Peter Reinhart runs deeper than just admiring his work; it’s a personal history shaped by his profound influence. I vividly remember the early 90s, shortly after high school, when my stepmom shared a loaf of homemade bread that redefined my understanding of baking. It was the closest thing to professional, bakery-quality bread I had ever tasted, especially coming from our humble, somewhat sad old kitchen oven. Intrigued and inspired, I discovered her secret: Peter Reinhart’s “Brother Juniper’s Bread Book.” That moment marked the true beginning of my artisan bread-making journey. From that day forward, I eagerly acquired every one of his published works on bread making, and not once has a recipe failed me. His methodical approach and deep understanding of the science behind baking have consistently yielded spectacular results.

So, when Craftsy extended the incredible opportunity to give away Reinhart’s Artisan Bread Making course to one of my dedicated readers, I didn’t just accept—I JUMPED at the chance! The only experience that could possibly rival taking a class from him in person is having the ability to learn directly from him through a high-quality online video course. In fact, the online Craftsy course offers a colossal advantage over live classes, my friends. Imagine having the power to watch, pause, rewind, and rewatch any segment as many times as you like, without any expiration date on your access to the Craftsy Artisan Bread Making class. While Mr. Reinhart is incredibly accommodating, I highly doubt he could offer that same level of personalized, on-demand convenience during a traditional in-person workshop. This flexibility is truly transformative for learning complex culinary skills.

The Unparalleled Craftsy Advantage: Learning Beyond the Screen

Peter Reinhart himself highlights the truly unique community environment that Craftsy has meticulously cultivated, even dedicating a segment to it in his course introduction. This isn’t just a passive viewing experience; it’s an interactive educational journey. You don’t merely get to watch Peter Reinhart demonstrate his mastery; you gain the incredible opportunity to engage with him directly. Have a burning question about a specific technique or a particular challenge you’re facing? Craftsy provides a direct channel for you to send him a message. Beyond that, you can dialogue with him and fellow students, share photos of your baking triumphs (and challenges!) for constructive feedback, and in essence, learn directly from one of the most revered bread masters of our time. To reiterate this crucial point: YOU CAN ACTUALLY DIALOGUE WITH PETER REINHART. If that level of personalized interaction and expert guidance isn’t worth the price of admission—which, incidentally, is remarkably reasonable even at its standard rate—then I honestly don’t know what is!

The Craftsy platform transcends traditional learning methods by fostering a supportive and engaging environment. This digital classroom allows you to connect with a global community of enthusiastic bakers who share your passion. You can draw inspiration from others’ projects, troubleshoot problems collaboratively, and celebrate successes together. This dynamic interaction accelerates learning, builds confidence, and transforms what could be an isolating hobby into a vibrant, shared experience. Imagine getting direct feedback on your shaping technique or advice on achieving that perfect oven spring – all from Peter Reinhart himself or experienced peers. This robust support system is a cornerstone of the Craftsy experience, making complex concepts accessible and ensuring you never feel alone on your baking journey.

What You’ll Uncover in Artisan Bread Making with Peter Reinhart

This comprehensive course is meticulously designed to transform you into a confident artisan bread baker, no matter your current skill level. Peter Reinhart breaks down the complexities of bread making into digestible, actionable lessons. Here’s a detailed look at the invaluable knowledge you’ll acquire:

Essential Resources and Ingredients: Discover the best sources for high-quality flours, yeasts, and other critical ingredients. Understand how different types of flour impact your final loaf, and learn about specialized tools that can elevate your baking, such as Dutch ovens, bannetons, and precise kitchen scales.
Demystifying Baking Terminology: Navigate the often-intimidating jargon of baking with clear, concise definitions. Terms like “autolyse,” “preferment,” “stretch and fold,” “proofing,” and “scoring” will become second nature, giving you a deeper understanding of the processes involved.
Mastering the Steps of Artisan Bread Making: From the initial mixing of ingredients to the final golden-brown crust, you’ll be guided through every crucial stage. Learn the nuances of hydration, fermentation, shaping, and baking to achieve consistent, professional results.
Exploring Diverse Types of Artisan Bread: Dive into the characteristics of various bread categories. Understand the differences between lean doughs (like crusty baguettes and airy ciabatta), enriched doughs (such as rich brioche and fluffy challah), and rustic, hearth-style breads, learning the unique techniques for each.
Recipes vs. Formulas: The Science of Baking Unleashed: This is a critically important distinction that Peter Reinhart emphasizes. Beyond simply following a recipe, you’ll learn to understand baking as a precise science through formulas. This knowledge empowers you to adapt, create, and troubleshoot with confidence, giving you true mastery over your dough.
Hands-On Dough Preparation and Honed Recipes: Work alongside Peter as he guides you through making and preparing dough for several of his most celebrated and perfected recipes. These tried-and-true foundations are included in the course materials, giving you an immediate repertoire of impressive breads.
Creative Variations on Recipes and Formulas: Once you grasp the fundamental formulas, Peter teaches you how to confidently experiment. Learn to introduce new ingredients, adjust hydration levels, and modify fermentation times to create your own unique bread variations, expanding your culinary creativity.
Artful Shaping Options for Your Loaves: The way you shape your dough significantly impacts its final structure and appearance. Discover various shaping techniques for boules (round loaves), bâtards (oval loaves), baguettes, and more, ensuring your breads are as beautiful as they are delicious.

Exclusive Opportunity: Win a Free Artisan Bread Making Class!

To celebrate this incredible course and empower even more home bakers, we’re hosting a special giveaway!

Giveaway Details:

One (1) lucky winner will receive full, lifetime access to the acclaimed Artisan Bread Making class with Peter Reinhart on Craftsy.

How to Enter for Your Chance to Win:

It’s simple! Click here to visit Craftsy, sign up for a free Craftsy account (or sign in if you already have one), and complete your entry for the giveaway! Don’t forget to ‘like’ my Facebook page, as I’ll be announcing the fortunate winner there on October 21st, 2014!

Don’t Miss Out: Exclusive Discount for All Entrants!

Even if you don’t emerge as our grand prize winner, there’s absolutely no need to fret! Craftsy is extending an incredible offer to everyone who enters the giveaway: a generous 50% off promo code for the Artisan Bread Making course. This means you can snag this phenomenal class, taught by a baking legend, for an unbeatable price. What is normally a steal at $39.99 will be slashed to a fabulous $19.99! Think about the value: an entire masterclass with Peter Reinhart for less than the cost of a few loaves from a specialty bakery. This is truly an unparalleled opportunity to invest in your baking skills and delight your palate.

Bonus Tip: Consider taking this transformative class before the busy holiday season is fully upon us. Imagine the sheer joy and pride of presenting the most beautiful, flavorful loaves of bread you’ve ever made at all your holiday gatherings and meals! Not only would this be an absolutely fantastic treat to give yourself, but it also makes for an exceptionally thoughtful and unique Christmas present for the beloved bakers in your life. Give the gift of knowledge, skill, and the pure satisfaction of baking extraordinary bread. The exclusive 50% off coupon code will be revealed alongside the winner’s announcement on my Facebook page, so mark your calendars and be sure to tune in on Tuesday, October 21st for all the exciting news and your chance to claim this incredible discount!

Embark on your journey to becoming an artisan bread master today. With Peter Reinhart’s guidance and Craftsy’s innovative platform, the world of exquisite homemade bread is just a click away. Happy baking!