Ah, the only thing better than the smell of freshly baked bread, is the first bite of warm bread directly from the oven topped with melted excellent butter.
A few years back, we had the opportunity via Yelp to visit Hartford Baking Company at their factory to learn how they make their bread, specifically, their sourdough bread, and what an experience it was! Ever since then, we’ve been hooked on this bakery, telling everyone we know about it.
Originally, they started baking their bread at the cafe at 625 New Park Avenue in West Hartford, CT but soon ran out of room. thus they moved the bread baking to a new location. They still bake their pastries and such at the cafe on a daily basis.
Hartford Baking Company is a true Connecticut gem, and it’s no surprise why it’s become a local favorite.
What started in 2010 with just one baker and four baristas has blossomed into a thriving business with over 50 employees, making a name for itself not only in Hartford but across Connecticut.
The company’s mission has always been simple: to create exceptional baked goods that the community can be proud of. And they’ve succeeded – their commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and community is evident in every loaf, pastry, and treat that comes out of their bakery.
What sets Hartford Baking Company apart is their dedication to doing things the “hard way.”
When we visited, Scott, the owner of Hartford Baking Company, walked us through the process of making scratch-made artisan sourdough bread using fresh, quality ingredients. They use local sources for their ingredients as much as possible.
Because sourdough bread has a long fermentation period, Scott had previously made the dough, so it would be ready for us to turn into loafs of unbaked bread during our visit. He explained to us the process of creating a sourdough “starter” and how they develop theirs through experimentation until they discovered the depth of flavor and texture they were seeking.
Because their bread is baked fresh every night to meet their orders, they always have starters going. Some starters take as little as three hours to develop the flavor they desire, whereas others take upwards of 20 hours to develop.
“Quite different from what you might find in your supermarket bakery, artisan breads represent the true time-honored craft of bread baking. ‘Artisan’ implies made by hand, which is the method we use for all of our bread and pastries. Shaping loaves by hand is a more gentle process and does not overwork the dough as a machine would, yielding large, irregular holes (the essence of artisan bread),” Scott told us. “Most of our breads contain only four or five ingredients: unbleached wheat flour, double-purified water, sea salt, and either instant yeast or our own homemade sourdough starter. It is this simplicity that makes bread such a universal and versatile food.”
When we visited, we made three different types of loafs: baguettes, boules, and a loaf like type that was stuffed with pieces of chocolate. Each loaf was baked to a good brown with a crispy crust yielding to a soft and slightly tangy center. Scott allowed a few loafs to bake longer resulting in the crust taking on a darker color yielding more caramelization of the sugars added more flavor.
Scoring of the bread prior to baking, especially these “hearth style breads” (breads cooked directly on the oven surface, not in a loaf pan) prevents the bread from bursting at weak spots created during the hand-forming of the loaf when baked. Scoring is achieved by using a “lame”, French for “blade”.
Scoring can also be performed using a straight razor or serrated knife, depending upon the desired effects. Baguettes are typically scored with parallel lines somewhat along the length of the bread. The round loaves or boules are be scored just about any way one desires to give a unique look.
Ready to Try It Yourself?
If you’re interested in experiencing these delicious breads and baked goods for yourself, you can stop by Hartford Baking Company’s locations in West Hartford, Glastonbury, Farmington, or South Windsor to grab a loaf of their artisan sourdough or try one of their other mouthwatering pastries.
Every bite is a testament to the care and passion that goes into creating these truly special breads.
Whether you’re stopping by for a freshly baked baguette, enjoying their signature sourdough, or treating yourself to a pastry made with locally sourced ingredients, a visit to Hartford Baking Company is an experience you won’t forget.
It’s not just about great food, it’s about supporting a business that has deep roots in the community and a passion for creating the best possible products.
So, next time you’re craving something warm and delicious, whether you’re baking at home or picking up a fresh loaf, you know exactly where to go.
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Looking to LEARN how to make bread….Willing to be shown….Want to learn to make own bread for my Cafe down the road…to teach Autism Adults how to make bread & sanwiches….