Let's face it EVERY cook makes mistakes (yes, even us professional bakers make boo boo's).
I'm going to list here, the 7 most common whole wheat bread baking mistakes that you're probably making, or might make if you're not forewarned, and what you can do about them.
Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake 1
By far the most common bread baking mistake is when the salt is forgotten to be added to the whole wheat bread dough.
This results in very bland bread, and even effects the rising of the dough. Making your whole wheat bread flat on top.
The best solution for this is to use a post it note as a reminderto yourself, to add the salt to the whole wheat bread dough.
You can stick the post it note where ever you're most likely to see it (fridge, recipe book, etc..)
Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake 2
The second most common mistake is when the whole wheat bread dough is allowed to over rise, which leads to it falling.
This usually happens when the whole wheat bread dough is forgotten about. And with so much going on our lives, who doesn't forget things like this now and then?
But don't fret, there is a solution: If the whole wheat bread is already in the bread pans when it over rises simply use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut the excess dough off the sides of the unbaked loaves.
Separate and roll this dough into a few small balls of dough. Allow them to rise 20 minutes to 30 minutes on a small oiled cookie sheet, and then bake them on 350 Fahrenheit, for 15 to 20 minutes as whole wheat rolls.
Also allow the whole wheat bread dough to rise for about 15 to 20 more minutes before baking if it is extremely flat on top.
Another solution to help you keep from forgetting about your bread, is to use a timer which will beep loudly after the selected time period is up.
Using a timer can also help stop other whole wheat bread baking catastrophes from happening.
Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake 3
When you heat up your water to put your yeast in, it is easy to accidentally make the water a bit too hot. This mistake will kill the yeast and your bread will not rise
To correct this mistake I strongly recommend you invest in a cooking thermometer, to measure the temperature of the water with.
Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake 4
If the recipe you use makes too much dough for your family's needs and you worry that the extra bread will grow stale before you use it, fear not.
It is perfectly safe to refrigerate unused dough for a few days and allow the whole wheat bread dough to finish it's rising time once you get it out to use it.
You can use a ziploc bag or plastic wrap over bowls that contain your whole wheat bread dough, to store it in your fridge and still prevent oxidation.
Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake 5
Burned bread. Yup, nothing tastes worse than whole wheat bread which is black as charcoal.
To avoid this, be sure you follow baking times and temperatures strictly. And again use a timer to remind yourself when it's time to remove your whole wheat bread from the oven.
Also remember that gas ovens and electric ovens vary in their temperatures. If you're using an electric oven you should bake almost all pastries on 350 Fahrenheit.
Sometimes a recipe will call for you to start baking a loaf of bread on a higher temperature, but will also usually tell you to turn the heat down after a certain amount of time.
Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake 6
Mistakenly or purposefully using the wrong type of flour. If you are baking whole wheat bread, the only way to get good results is by using whole wheat flour to bake your bread.
There are different recipes for all the different types of bread and they all use one specific flour for each recipe.
So don't try any substitution hoping that by adding rye flour for instance, you will actually turn a whole wheat bread recipe into rye bread. Because you won't.
Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistake 7
Last but not least there is the problem of air bubbles (also called "pockets") which create large holes inside the whole wheat bread, after it's done baking.
The best solution for this is to pinch any such bubbles whenever you see them in your whole wheat bread dough, before you bake it. This will immediately deflate the bubble.
Now you are armed with the knowledge of the 7 most common whole wheat bread baking mistakes (most of which also apply to all other rising breads) and how you should deal with them.
So don't let the bread mistake blues get you down ever again.
Are you fed up with recipes that tell you what to do, but not HOW to do it? Beth gives step by step instructions on exactly how to bake your own bread and many other food items. Visit her site now to claim your FREE subscription to her Baking & Recipe Tips Newsletter
Okay, you've either gotten married or are planning to pretty... Read More
The most difficult task of a picnic is remembering everything.... Read More
Fresh, uncooked veggies are so healthy and it's important to... Read More
Cake pans?.the secret behind every successful cake. My husband tells... Read More
The secret-at least most of it-is in the rise. The... Read More
Untreated cast iron rusts, especially around water. To prevent metal... Read More
Summer is finally here and for a lot of us... Read More
Have you ever wondered how much a serving really is.... Read More
How many of you remember dad trying to get the... Read More
COLFAX, WISCONSIN - June is Dairy Month and what better... Read More
Filet mignon is French, of course, with filet meaning "thick... Read More
The whisk. A true versatile cooking utensil. Whisks come in... Read More
Bread machines-wonderful inventions that they are-don't think very well. You... Read More
Seasoning is the most important thing you can do to... Read More
As moms, we have hectic lives. Whether we work out... Read More
The best way to decide what you need in your... Read More
Garlic, there's nothing like the smell of garlic. It's great... Read More
Put on your apron! It's time to stir up a... Read More
We really like fresh bread while we're camping. There is... Read More
As a busy working mother, I'm short on time, especially... Read More
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cook a delicious... Read More
As one of the oldest children in a family of... Read More
Perishable food must be kept cold while commuting via bus,... Read More
Ever been to a barbecue party where the 'chef' placed... Read More
For over 40 years scientists have known that the fumes... Read More
Flax seed will add a pleasant nutty taste to any... Read More
Bread dough needs to be elastic in order to capture... Read More
Cobblers and dowdies, crisps and crumbles, buckles and betties-what are... Read More
Would you like to prepare the best Garlic Mashed Potatoes... Read More
Are you wondering if you have the time to bake... Read More
For that next picnic or family outing, consider making sandwich... Read More
Some of the best meals I've ever eaten were made... Read More
For any of the many reasons people choose to eat... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
The easiest way to make rice well every time is... Read More
The human body requires the intake of six types of... Read More
School's out! And summer is a good time to introduce... Read More
Soups and sauces can be thickened in a variety of... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
There's two basic theories on grilling corn. Some people prefer... Read More
In the previous article, we suggested that you start a... Read More
Researchers have found that bacteria have a tougher time surviving... Read More
Want to enjoy the tantalizing taste of Asian food at... Read More
As a busy working mother, I'm short on time, especially... Read More
The great English cook Prue Leith once famously remarked "life's... Read More
There's nothing better than the juicy, flavorful hard candy from... Read More
How many of you remember dad trying to get the... Read More
In nature all animals eat living foods as yielded up... Read More
You might be planning a home remodeling project and it... Read More
Digital kitchen timers come in many shapes and sizes. Timers... Read More
Seasoning is the most important thing you can do to... Read More
Most grocery stores carry cans of whipping cream ready to... Read More
Okay, you've either gotten married or are planning to pretty... Read More
Ahhh?the noble crescent roll. In some forms it has its... Read More
The Cooker-rail....This is a novel way of increasing the drying... Read More
For that next picnic or family outing, consider making sandwich... Read More
A long hard day at work. You get home and... Read More
Many bakers ask for tips and instructions on decorating cookies.... Read More
Vegetables add colour, taste, texture and bulk to our daily... 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
Barbecuing has long been a favorite pastime for many and... Read More
Would you like to prepare the best Garlic Mashed Potatoes... Read More
Storing foods can present its own set of problems. And... Read More
Bread dough needs to be elastic in order to capture... Read More
Want a unique party idea for your child's birthday-or even... Read More
Cooking Tips |