Plz help me get started baking bread at home.. Updated bread maker fail--help.

[diamond]

my kids eat a lot of bread, for sandwiches for lunch and breakfast. I have been buying bread from stores, costco etc...but lately not comfortable with all the shelf stabilizers and additives in them. I just bought a 5$ single loaf of bread from wegmans which has an expiry date of tomorrow, so 5$ for a loaf for 2 days. Besides being expensive I dont want to go to store every 2 days for bread..

it has these ingredients--organic wheat flour, water organic vital wheat gluten, sea salt, organic whole wheat flour, organic malt, yeast.

this ingredients list looks small and simple.

Can you guys help me get started on simple baking bread at home , mainly for eating sandwiches, packing lunch etc...I have baked cakes from scratch stc.. before so have an idea of baking, but never baked bread..

[athompson]

Do you have a stand mixer? I would buy one if not. It makes making bread so simple.
As far as what to bake the bread in, I would skip metal pans and get ceramic bread pans. They clean up very easily. I have these and got them at my local supermarket:
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Cook-Inch-Ceramic-Loaf/dp/B0026RHIA0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1525701622&sr=8-2&keywords=good+cook+bread+pan
Recipes are all over the Internet, but this is my go to and based on the reviews, it sounds like it is pretty easy to sub in different flours etc.:
http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/earls-homemade-bread-for-the-kitchenaid-294941

[legaleagle]

I would get pyrex over ceramic, if you want actual loaves. Much easier to see when it's fully done and very cheap. That said, I see no reason not to use metal tins - I use those as well.

This recipes is basically no work and quite tasty: https://alexandracooks.com/2012/11/07/my-mothers-peasant-bread-the-best-easiest-bread-you-will-ever-make/

If you don't have a stand mixer but you do have a good sized food processor you can use that instead - I actually prefer it for some doughs.

[hillview]

super easy been making this recipe 2x a week for months and it is great.
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017369-excellent-white-bread?action=click&module=Global%20Search%20Recipe%20Card&pgType=search&rank=13

I like these bread pans (the wire cutter suggested them).
https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/usa-pan-goldtouch-nonstick-loaf-pan/?pkey=cbread-pans-loaf-pans&isx=0.0.810

[trcy]

A bread maker makes it so simple. I am not a cook...at all. But I make my own bread. You just put in the ingredients, turn it on and that’s it.


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[Mikey0709]

I too use a bread maker. Put everything in and turn it on - that's it! Actually bought one brand new in a box for $10 at a flea market - and have been using it for YEARS for everything from whole grain bread, to sweet breads and pizza dough.

[diamond]

i dont have have a stand up mixer, but do have a hand mixer. Bread maker sounds easy and interesting... any good brands and models to look for?

[BunnyBee]

SAF yeast -- some Costco stores carry it. It keeps in the fridge for a very long time, and Costco's price is very reasonable for it.

You may want to try the Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day type bread and see if you like it. It can be shaped into traditional loaves for baking to make slices easier.

You can find bread makers at thrift stores and on community swaps. You might be able to post and ask for one to use to try out. I would lend mine to a friend! I used to make the bread in the machine and then shape it into regular pans and bake (because I hated the hole in the bottom from the blade), but now I like my mixer. Sort of theraputic I guess. :)

These are my favorite pans: https://www.amazon.com/USA-Pan-Bakeware-Aluminized-Steel/dp/B0029JQEIC
and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TO3CN8/ for really squared off loaves

[trcy]

i dont have have a stand up mixer, but do have a hand mixer. Bread maker sounds easy and interesting... any good brands and models to look for?

I’ve had this one for years. https://m.bedbathandbeyond.com/m/product/oster-reg-expressbake-bread-maker-with-gluten-free-setting-in-white/1041264461
Yes, there is a hole in the bottom of the loaf from the blade, but IMO, it’s a small price to pay for the convenience and ease of use a bread machine offers. But again, I am not a cook and I don’t enjoy cooking, lol.


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[bw52]

Bread makers make bread making so fast! You can use it to make your loaf of bread or just use the dough setting and shape it however you like. I use mine all the time to make rolls, pizza dough, hamburger buns (for me that’s easier easier than running to the store with 4 little kids), French bread, cinnamon rolls, etc. I have also made bread without a bread maker and although not hard it takes more time. I like that I can put the ingredients in and then take kids where they need to go and have the dough (or bread) ready when I get home.

I have a very basic bread maker that has lasted for years and been used many time a week. The only special settings I use are the dough setting, whole wheat setting and sometimes the delay setting.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Bread makers are great! Totally try one! Like others, I sometimes just make the dough in it then shape and bake on my own. I used to make a lot of challah.

[marymoo86]

I've often thought of it but time/desire/life always seem to derail this for me.

My Costco has this for $6-7 for 2 loaves and has decent ingredients. I think fairly newish?

http://www.alpinevalleybakery.com/multi-grain-with-omega3/

[div_0305]

Trader Joe's breads are very cheap and have very few ingredients if you're in a bind and don't have time to make bread. The dates are about a week out --I look at the date labels to get the freshest. For baking bread, I haven't checked in a while, but I thought most bread machines used pans with nonstick coatings. I am planning to upgrade all my baking pans to USA Pans, like these after reading endless raves on the BBB for them:
https://www.amazon.com/USA-Pan-Bakeware-Aluminized-Steel/dp/B0029JQEIC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1525715995&sr=8-3&keywords=usa+pan+bread

For homemade baking, I've switched to using only einkorn flour, which I buy from Jovial Foods. The owner/creator has posted how to make your own starter for bread so you don't have to buy yeast. This has been on my to-do list for a couple years--it's just too easy to go to TJ's and buy sandwich bread, but it's not einkorn. She even has a no-knead bread recipe which you cook in a dutch oven.

[Peaches Keane]

https://food52.com/blog/19432-the-no-knead-no-fuss-recipe-that-will-get-you-baking-bread-every-week

[legaleagle]

https://food52.com/blog/19432-the-no-knead-no-fuss-recipe-that-will-get-you-baking-bread-every-week

That’s the same recipe I linked above :) from the original blog

[Peaches Keane]

That’s the same recipe I linked above :) from the original blog

Oops! Great minds.... ;)

[maestramommy]

We had a bread maker that we got for a wedding present in 2002. We've been using it to make breakfast bread, and it finally crapped out a couple of months ago. Around this time I really got interested in making bread after watching Michael Pollan's "Cooked," series on Netflix. Here's a SUPER EASY recipe. Like, so easy it's crazy.

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-noknead-bread-home-109343

I was using a dutch oven for a while, but then I switched to a loaf pan to make it easier to slice for toast or sandwiches. One nice thing about doing it this way is you don't get a huge hole in the middle from the paddle of the machine. That was the only annoyance with using the bread machine.

I also tweak the above recipe. 2 tsp of salt was crazy salty for us, so I use less than 1 tsp. I also use 2 tsp of yeast because I use Whole Wheat flour, sometime entirely, sometimes mixed with White flour. I've also been making my own pizza crust, and I find that after you try a few recipes you start to see a trend in the amounts of ingredients, so don't be afraid to experiment!

[diamond]

ok guys, I got a 8$ bread maker from gw today.. I have until tomorrow to test it and decide if its working and if I want to keep it or not. It did not come with any recipe book etc... I think its Breadman TR845. Can any recipe be used in a bread machine? Any specific recipes to use in a bread machine? any links for me? thanks

[trcy]

ok guys, I got a 8$ bread maker from gw today.. I have until tomorrow to test it and decide if its working and if I want to keep it or not. It did not come with any recipe book etc... I think its Breadman TR845. Can any recipe be used in a bread machine? Any specific recipes to use in a bread machine? any links for me? thanks

I think different bread machines have different ‘rules’ if wet or dry can go in first. I know with mine, wet has to go in first. Maybe look online to see if you can find a manual.


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[trcy]

I just found this
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/20755/Breadman-Plus-Tr845.html


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[zukeypur]

I’m actually baking some now, lol. I do two loaves a week most weeks. I have done it in the kitchaid and the bread maker, but I always bake in the oven. My pans are similar to the metal ones linked above. I buy yeast and gluten on amazon, and only use King Arthur flour.

3 cups flour (I use 1/2 bread flour, 1/2white whole wheat)
1 1/4 cups warm water
1/2 Tbsp salt
1/2 Tbsp yeast
1 Tbsp gluten (not need if you’re not using whole wheat, use a little more if you do 100% whole wheat)
1/4 c honey (you can decrease this if it’s too much for your taste)
2 Tbsp neutral oil

Break maker: dough cycle, then put in greased pan and let rise for about an hour, or until bread is 1 inch above top of pan. Put in cold oven and set timer for 35 minutes at 350. Bread will rise a little more as oven heats.

[trcy]

I’m actually baking some now, lol. I do two loaves a week most weeks. I have done it in the kitchaid and the bread maker, but I always bake in the oven. My pans are similar to the metal ones linked above. I buy yeast and gluten on amazon, and only use King Arthur flour.

3 cups flour (I use 1/2 bread flour, 1/2white whole wheat)
1 1/4 cups warm water
1/2 Tbsp salt
1/2 Tbsp yeast
1 Tbsp gluten (not need if you’re not using whole wheat, use a little more if you do 100% whole wheat)
1/4 c honey (you can decrease this if it’s too much for your taste)
2 Tbsp neutral oil

Break maker: dough cycle, then put in greased pan and let rise for about an hour, or until bread is 1 inch above top of pan. Put in cold oven and set timer for 35 minutes at 350. Bread will rise a little more as oven heats.

I want to try this recipe. Do you think I could use maple syrup instead of honey? And do you know what size loaf this would make? I plan to cook it in my bread machine and have to select loaf size.


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[pastrygirl]

Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day! My husband has been using that technique for over 8 years now. No kneading! You mix the ingredients with a dough whisk; takes 5 minutes including measuring the ingredients. Let it rest at room temp for 2 hours, then refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

When ready to bake, put 2 pounds of the dough into a loaf pan and let rise in a warm area for 2 hours, and bake.

That’s IT.

[zukeypur]

I want to try this recipe. Do you think I could use maple syrup instead of honey? And do you know what size loaf this would make? I plan to cook it in my bread machine and have to select loaf size.


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Pretty sure it’s a 1 lb loaf. I don’t know how maple syrup would do. I would start with 2 Tbsp instead of 1/4 cup

[bw52]

I make a recipe with similar amount and mine is a 1.5 lb loaf.

Mine is:
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 tsp salt
3 cups flour
2 tsp yeast

[diamond]

I make a recipe with similar amount and mine is a 1.5 lb loaf.

Mine is:
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 tsp salt
3 cups flour
2 tsp yeast


so i used this recipe as I had all ingredients on hand and sounded easy. It was a total flop. The bread was almost stone hard and had spiky tops like spiky mountains or icicles. Here where I must have gone wrong, any suggestions better bread next time?

1) For 3 cups flour, I used 1 cup all purpose flour and 2 cups white whole wheat flour. What is bread flour or cake flour? will I have better luck with different flours? Though I dont want to use bleached, enriched flours..

2) I used whole wheat bread setting, since I had 2 cups white whole wheat flour?

3) I put stuff in and let it run overnight. Do you have to take it out as soon as you are done? or can letting it sit overnight ok?

4) I added all wet ingredients first, then dry and then I remembered oil, so I poured at the side, letting it glide under dough.

5) I used a whole packet of yeast (had 7gms yeast), I had from ALDI store. Should I get a better quality of yeast?

6) I used avacado oil

[bisous]

I use bread flour and put the ingredients in in a different order (but I don’t know what is right!) My recipe is different though—as I start the yeast, water and sugar off for ten minutes first and then add all other ingredients. I don’t know how many grams of yeast I use—I use 2 and a quarter tsps. I don’t use any baking powder and don’t see that on the recipe you referenced!

[bw52]

I’m sorry it didn’t work for you—I’ve used that recipe for years—multiple times a week.

Did it rise? The only time I’ve gotten hard, spiky bread was when the yeast didn’t work (putting in cold or old yeast). I always warm the yeast in my hand before starting. I keep it in the fridge. You have to have lukewarm water and room temp yeast.

1. Does your bread machine have a whole wheat option? Anytime I add whole wheat I use that setting. I’ve done 2 cups all purpose and 1 cup white whole wheat and it had worked fine. Usually I just do all all purpose.

Gotta run. I’ll add more later.

[diamond]

oops u r right this recipe does not need baking powder, i was also baking banana bread yesterday and added more in it, thats why i got confused, edited my post

[bw52]

I’m back

3. If I don’t pull mine out right away the crust gets soggy. I use the delay/timer setting if I want it done in the morning.

4. I add in the order listed. I always put the salt under the flour bc I’ve read the salt and yeast shouldn’t touch. I make a hole in the middle of the flour and put the yeast in the flour.

Did you use regular active dry yeast? Not instant.

I’ve never used avocado oil only veg or canola.

And there is no baking powder. I would guess that’s the problem if you added baking powder.

[bisous]

I’m betting it’s the baking powder. I don’t know what yeast and baking powder would do together but I’m guessing they’d interact in weird ways! Maybe try again with some of our tips? (And no baking powder.)

[diamond]

i didnt add any baking powder in this recipe...

[BunnyBee]

You'll have to check the directions for your bread machine. Some want the wet ingredients on the bottom and some want the dry.

You could need more liquid using wheat flour. You may have put too much wheat flour in. I weigh baking ingredients. It could be overmixed with the wheat cycle with white whole wheat dough. The yeast could be old. Did you add the sugar? That's another reason I stopped using the bread machine because I like being able to see what's happening with the dough. Some times of the year I need more or less liquid depending on humidity, etc.

[legaleagle]

Bread flour is white flour with a higher protein (gluten) content than all purpose. It is generally unbleached. Cake flour has a lower protein content and is bleached.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Well, before you can start tweaking recipes, I always try the official one first. You made several big subs that could easily have altered your outcome. Whole wheat flour is not comparable at all to bread flour. I think you should try the recipe as written and see how it actually turns out- no avocado oil, no wheat flour... :)
Did you add the sugar? The yeast needs something to eat.
There are plenty of all purpose white flours that aren't bleached nor enriched. Go to Whole Foods.

[hillview]

Well, before you can start tweaking recipes, I always try the official one first. You made several big subs that could easily have altered your outcome. Whole wheat flour is not comparable at all to bread flour. I think you should try the recipe as written and see how it actually turns out- no avocado oil, no wheat flour... :)
Did you add the sugar? The yeast needs something to eat.
There are plenty of all purpose white flours that aren't bleached nor enriched. Go to Whole Foods.
:yeahthat:

[zukeypur]

Well, before you can start tweaking recipes, I always try the official one first. You made several big subs that could easily have altered your outcome. Whole wheat flour is not comparable at all to bread flour. I think you should try the recipe as written and see how it actually turns out- no avocado oil, no wheat flour... :)
Did you add the sugar? The yeast needs something to eat.
There are plenty of all purpose white flours that aren't bleached nor enriched. Go to Whole Foods.
Yes to all of this. If you use that much whole wheat flour, you need to add some gluten. It sounds like it was too wet, in addition to the problems of the substitutions. Bread flour really does do better than all purpose flour, and King Arthur is better than store brand.

[diamond]

I make a recipe with similar amount and mine is a 1.5 lb loaf.

Mine is:
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 tsp salt
3 cups flour
2 tsp yeast


I tried several times with trial and error and I make good bread in a bread maker we have. I use avacado oil, organic king arthur flour all purpose flour, organic sugar so I am feeling better about my kids eating a lot of bread. But how do you cut the bread? When I do there are millions of crumbs all over my counter and slices are very thin or very thick, not even at all. I feel like we are wasting a lot of bread due to this. Right now I am using a good quality bread knike which is serrated and cut it on top of a a cookie sheet which has a wire rack on top, so all the crumbs fall into the cookie sheet and I shake it of in the trash. But I feel my bread knife will get bad as the serrated edge keeps hitting the wire rack...Any tips on cutting bread?..

[SnuggleBuggles]

You should save your breadcrumbs in the freezer for things like meatball filling or topping on homemade mac and cheese. No need to toss! I just use a cutting board. The crumbs stay on there and I swoop them where I want them. I never cut things directly on my counter.

[Smillow]

Make sure the loaf is completely cooled?

here’s some advice: https://www.thekitchn.com/good-questions-109-127363