Bread machines-wonderful inventions that they are-don't think very well. You and I, when we have a loaf of bread percolating on the counter, can look and say, "My bread is rising a little slowly today. I think I will let it be for another fifteen minutes." Our bread machines go ahead and start the bake cycle anyway. The result is a dense loaf of bread that didn't rise enough.
The only way that we know to compensate for those loaves that aren't quite right is human intervention. Most loaves and most recipes that aren't acting right can be fixed to make perfect bread. Many recipes take a little tweaking to come out just right in the individual environments of our own kitchens.
We had a call from the Denver area this week, "My bread machine worked just fine in Australia. Now it bakes hard, dense loaves." (He hadn't tried our mixes yet.) Denver is a much different environment than Australia. Dough will act differently there. But then, dough may act differently in your kitchen than it does in the kitchen down the street.
Most days, in most kitchens, the bread turns out just fine (which is a compliment to modern machines). When bread doesn't come out just right, it's usually because the machine starts baking too soon or too late for a particular recipe in a particular environment. If it starts before the bread has completely risen, the loaf comes out dense. If it rises too much, the top starts to cave.
So, what to do? Most bread machine faults can be corrected if you apply a little human intervention.
? Keep conditions consistent. If you pull the machine and/or ingredients out of the cold garage this week but the warm pantry next week, you will have two different loaves. If you use more or less water or warmer or cooler water, you will have different loaves. Measure carefully and use a thermometer.
? Watch the dough ball. During the second mix cycle, check the dough ball to see if it is too wet or two dry. (Wet dough rises faster than dry dough.) If the dough ball appears too sticky and wet or doesn't hold its shape, add flour a tablespoon at a time. If it is too firm, flakey, or your bread machine begins to "knock", dribble in water a teaspoon at a time.
? Adjust the recipe. Even if your bread is not perfect, it is probably still good. Some recipes are going to take a little adjustment to work just right in your machine, in your kitchen, the way you bake bread. If your bread is not as light as you like, add another tablespoon or so of water next time. If the top has started to cave, add another tablespoon or so of flour next time. Even if your bread is not perfect the first time, it can be the second or third time. Similar mixes from the same manufacturer are likely to act the same in your kitchen.
? Use the oven. When you hear that little beep that most machines make to tell you that baking is about to begin, check your loaf. If your loaf hasn't risen enough or if it has risen too much-it looks too poofy or has started to blister-you have a choice: go ahead and let bake good but not perfect bread or rescue it. To rescue it, pull it out of the machine, form a loaf, place it in a bread pan or on a sheet pan, and let it rise on its own. When it has risen until it is light and soft (probably in 45 to 60 minutes), stick it in a 350 degree oven and bake it until is done-usually 30 to 40 minutes. The top should turn a nice deep brown and the interior of the loaf should reach 190 degrees. (Many bread machine owners use their machines this way and bake with their ovens most of the time.)
Once you have tweaked a recipe (or a mix) for your machine in your kitchen, keep conditions consistent and you should have picture perfect machine bread every time.
Dennis Weaver is the general manager at The Prepared Pantry (http://www.preparedpantry.com) with recipes, ideas, and the best selection of mixes and ingredients. Visit the free Bakers' Library for more articles like this, free baking guides, and tested recipes.
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
The Cooker-rail....This is a novel way of increasing the drying... Read More
When buying apples, look for those that are firm and... Read More
Types of BacteriaBacteria are all around us, in the air,... Read More
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cook a delicious... Read More
For any of the many reasons people choose to eat... Read More
Want a unique party idea for your child's birthday-or even... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
I'm amazed at how often I get e-mail from a... Read More
Flowers as a Cake Decoration, unique and easy to place... Read More
Microwave ovens can play an important role at mealtime, but... Read More
We're all looking for that perfect pie, or cookies, or... Read More
Would you like to prepare the best Garlic Mashed Potatoes... Read More
Have you ever wondered how to cut a cake? I... Read More
The debate on ribs has ended in my home. After... Read More
As moms, we have hectic lives. Whether we work out... Read More
The secret-at least most of it-is in the rise. The... Read More
Kitchenaid stand mixers are very popular in today's kitchens and... Read More
Garlic, there's nothing like the smell of garlic. It's great... Read More
Despite plenty of evidence to the contrary, I still see... Read More
Barbecuing has long been a favorite pastime for many and... Read More
Our kid birthday cake idea collection makes cake decorating fun... Read More
Did you ever wonder why flour tastes like sawdust but... Read More
Lobster has always be one of those extravagant meals which... Read More
Cake pans?.the secret behind every successful cake. My husband tells... Read More
Cooking outdoors was once only a summer activity shared with... Read More
Pyrex mixing bowls typically come in sets of 3 with... Read More
There's nothing better than a nicely grilled juicy steak.But how... Read More
As a busy working mother, I'm short on time, especially... Read More
Ah, there's nothing like a tender, steaming scone in the... Read More
The Versatile Quick BreadIt's no wonder quick breads are so... Read More
Untreated cast iron rusts, especially around water. To prevent metal... Read More
You're standing at the gas grill in the hot sun,... Read More
Researchers have found that bacteria have a tougher time surviving... Read More
From ancient times till the nineteenth century cooking was basically... Read More
Successful cake decorating is all about preparation. Baking and preparing... Read More
Have you ever wondered how to cut a cake? I... Read More
What is Food Poisoning?Food poisoning results when you eat food... Read More
BBQ smoke is one of the easiest ways to add... Read More
Nutritionists tell us that breakfast is the most important meal... Read More
Are my breads, cookies, or cakes baked and ready to... Read More
With the holidays on their way soon, many people will... Read More
A lot of the times we mean to get in... Read More
To get the svelte figure, start in the kitchen. Slimming... Read More
The small refrigerator can be used in many places that... Read More
Flowers as a Cake Decoration, unique and easy to place... Read More
Digital kitchen timers come in many shapes and sizes. Timers... Read More
The secret-at least most of it-is in the rise. The... Read More
Kitchenaid stand mixers are very popular in today's kitchens and... Read More
When buying apples, look for those that are firm and... Read More
There's two basic theories on grilling corn. Some people prefer... Read More
The great English cook Prue Leith once famously remarked "life's... Read More
There are usually 2 ways of deep frying in Chinese... Read More
Filet mignon is French, of course, with filet meaning "thick... Read More
High altitude baking can be a real adventure for the... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
We really like fresh bread while we're camping. There is... Read More
Barbecuing has long been a favorite pastime for many and... Read More
Pancakes are easy and almost foolproof. But there are some... Read More
Types of digital thermometers & their culinary uses.Thermocouple:Of all food... Read More
What would you eat if you were stranded without power?... Read More
Flax seed will add a pleasant nutty taste to any... Read More
The human body requires the intake of six types of... Read More
Are you wondering if you have the time to bake... Read More
Would you like to prepare the best Garlic Mashed Potatoes... Read More
Grilling on the barbecue has never been more exciting. Not... Read More
Cooking Tips |