1.13.25 | Becca's Rolling Pin

I grew up as Dad's little helper on all of our family home improvement projects. Dad always had a workshop. He named it Shom's Top, a spoonerism of Tom's Shop. After retiring from his job as Associate Dean of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, he transitioned to woodworking as an occupation, not just a side project. I've been lucky enough to be a part of many of his projects, even the most extensive ones like a small shellback dinghy with a wooden mast and oars. Over time, Dad has fixed a lot of antique furniture for folks and turned a lot of wooden bowls on the lathe. I've got a collection of his bowls at home that Matt and I use for a wide variety of purposes. 

My dad made this rolling pin for me when I started working at a bakery in 2010. It's really long and made of maple. I requested this specific size because it was a helpful accompaniment to the mechanical dough sheeter I was using to make large batches of croissants at the bakery. It was perfect for transporting large sheets of laminate dough (aka puff pastry) from the sheeter to the workbench. I used it for years.

A few years ago, I sold my dough sheeter to Bryan Hollar, the founder of Reunion Bakery. Now I make puff pastry by hand. It turns out that the rolling pin is still the perfect tool for the job. The length allows for a wide grip that keeps my warm hands off of the part that is touching the dough. It's also perfect for pounding out the butter for the butter block that gets folded into the dough--a very satisfying task!

While Dad isn't able to work in his shop anymore, I am glad that I at least get to surround myself with the things that he has made. 

Anytime puff pastry is called for--for Napoleons or Tarte Tatin (pictured below)--this is the tool I use. I just love it.

--Becca