Bread Machine?

[disneyrun]

In my ever increasing effort to better know what goes in my body (and my family's) I'm considering making my own bread, dough, etc. Do you have a breadmaker you love? I'd prefer something not terribly expensive but that is adequate for a small family. Any suggestions? And of course recipes always accepted!!

 

[BratTink]

In my ever increasing effort to better know what goes in my body (and my family's) I'm considering making my own bread, dough, etc. Do you have a breadmaker you love? I'd prefer something not terribly expensive but that is adequate for a small family. Any suggestions? And of course recipes always accepted!!

I have a Wilton and its fine but the bread is weirdly shaped and you don't get much. If you let the machine bake it you end up with a loaf with a dent/hole in the bottom, middle of the loaf from the kneader. If you have time I recommend making bread without the machine. I've been out of work for a month and decided to learn how to make bread. Its not difficult and very satisfying and fun.

 

[npmommie]

I have a Wilton and its fine but the bread is weirdly shaped and you don't get much. If you let the machine bake it you end up with a loaf with a dent/hole in the bottom, middle of the loaf from the kneader. If you have time I recommend making bread without the machine. I've been out of work for a month and decided to learn how to make bread. Its not difficult and very satisfying and fun.

I agree with the above poster. I have a different brand breadmaker, but the bread comes out the same.
I prefer to do it by hand if I have time. I do like the breadmaker for the dough setting though.........but it's big and takes up counter space.......I am actually debating getting rid of mine.

 

[meandtheguys2]

http://urbanhomemaker.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=136&idproduct=1387

This is the one we have. Being able to use whole grains and get a refular sized loaf was important to us. It cost a bit more, but our older, less expensive model was sufficient.

 

[disneyrun]

So I'm intrigued by the idea of not having a big honking piece of equipment to add to the counter How do you make it yourself? Recipes? Techniques? It sounds incredibly hard!

 

[helenabear]

I admit I was very close to getting one. I tried my favorite bread recipe in the breadmaker and I didn't like the texture or the shape of the bread (weird sized loaf IMO). Because I don't really enjoy kneading bread, I just use my mixer. Not sure what the difference is with the breadmaker, but IMO, it just tastes better when done by hand or done by a mixer & baked in the oven. I love my kitchen aid mixer for that. I can get dough ready in less than 20 minutes.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Same web-site. This is the recipe we use when we need to make more than one loaf. We use the kitchenaid to mix. Really easy, and the best bread ever. I don't have dough enhancer, and haven't seemed to miss it!

Hand Method: (yields 2 loaves)

1/3 C honey
1/3 C oil
2 1/2 C Warm Water
1 1/2 TB Saf Instant Yeast
2 1/2 tsp Real Salt
6-7 C Fresh whole wheat flour
1 1/2 TB Dough Enhancer

Combine the warm water, yeast, and 2 Cups of fresh whole wheat flour in a large mixing bowl. Allow to sponge for 15 minutes. Add the honey, oil, dough enhancer, salt and 4-5 C (12-16 C if using the Mix N Blend or (Bosch) additional flour until the dough begins to clean the sides of the mixing bowl. Do not allow the dough to get too stiff (too dry). Dough should be smooth and elastic. It is a common mistake for the beginning bakers to add too much flour.

Knead the bread by hand 7-10 minutes or until it is very smooth, elastic, and small bubbles or blisters appear beneath the surface of the dough. Six to ten minutes of kneading by electric mixer (Use speed 1 on the Bosch Universal, and use speed 4 on the Mix n Blend - or use the Auto-Knead function) should be sufficient to develop the gluten if you are using fresh flour. If you are kneading by hand, be sure to add the minimum amount of flour to keep the dough soft and pliable by using a tsp of oil on your hands and kneading surface.

Form the dough into 2 loaves if using the hand method or 5-6 loaves if using the Mix N Blend or Bosch Universal, method. Place the dough into greased loaf pans. Allow to rise in a slightly warmed oven or other warm place until doubled in size (about 30-60 minutes).

Bake loaves for 25-30 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Bread is cooked through when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, and when the top and sides are a golden brown color.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Try the King Aurthur website for tons of great recipes to make bread from scratch (some are easier than others). It is very VERY simple and once you get used to it you can easily make it without measuring anything (really--even my DS9 makes basic white bread on his own now). We lost the paddle to our bread machine in a move 3+ years ago and started making it from scratch while figuring the paddle would turn up. The bread is soooo much tastier we got rid of the big ugly machine and just make it ourselves now. It is not even all THAT time consuming--you just have to plan ahead which you do with a machine as well.

 

[BratTink]

I admit I was very close to getting one. I tried my favorite bread recipe in the breadmaker and I didn't like the texture or the shape of the bread (weird sized loaf IMO). Because I don't really enjoy kneading bread, I just use my mixer. Not sure what the difference is with the breadmaker, but IMO, it just tastes better when done by hand or done by a mixer & baked in the oven. I love my kitchen aid mixer for that. I can get dough ready in less than 20 minutes.

Me too! I LOVE my kitchen aid mixer.

Here's the recipe I've been practicing and after the first try, it comes out really nice, I even made it into a round loaf. I added notes in caps.

French Bread
2 packages dry yeast
2-1/2 cups warm water
1 tsp. sugar
6 cups all purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp. salt
Make sure water temperature is 110 to 115 degrees F. Place water in a large bowl and sprinkle with yeast and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes until yeast dissolves and starts to bubble. Stir in 2 cups flour and salt. Cover and let rise for 1/2 hour.-YOU CAN TELL IF THE YEAST IS BAD AS THIS DOES BUBBLE UP
Then gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes. (Knead by pressing on the dough, then folding over and pressing with the heel of your hand.) ).-I LET MY KITCHEN AID RUN ON THE LOWEST SETTING FOR 7 MINUTES
Then clean the large mixing bowl, grease it with solid shortening, and
place the dough in the bowl. Turn it in the bowl so the dough is greased (this
prevents the top from cracking as it rises
Cover the dough and let rise at room temperature for about 2-1/2 hours, until
doubled in bulk. With your fist, punch down the dough. Divide in half and place one half on a lightly floured surface.
Using a rolling pin, roll dough to a 12x6" rectangle. Starting with the 12"
side, roll up tightly. Seal seams and edges by pinching. Repeat with remaining
dough.
Grease a cookie sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves on prepared
sheet. Cover and let rise at room temperature until doubled, about 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray the loaves with a bit of water, then using a blade, made a few slashes across the top of each loaf. Bake at 425 degrees F for 25-30 minutes until loaves are golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool on wire rack.

When preheating my oven I also preheat an old aluminum pan on the bottom of the oven. When I put in the bread, I fill the pan with COLD water so it creates steam. Close the oven really quick and bake.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I hope you haven't purchased one yet because I have a great recommendation.

We have a Cuisineart. It might cost more than you are looking to spend, but it really does everything! You can even make jams and other things with it.

The problem that people are reporting with their other makers concerning the whole in the bottom of the loaf or the mishapen loaf isn't a problem with the Cuisinart. There are so many options but it is easy to use. It's also a very attractive appliance. If you get one, you'll have it for life!

I would seriously look into it. While baking your own bread from scratch is very romantic, if you are a working person like DH and I than it just isn't practical to rely on hand-baked bread for your sole supply of bread.