Cooking bread recipes

[ZPT1022]

We're trying to make more things from scratch and I'm collecting recipes. One of our biggest things we need to start is making more bread from scratch. I've got all the stuff in the house but I don't have a good recipe. I really need a good basic bread, but the kids love all the funky ones from the local bakery, so those would be good too (cinnamon swirl, apple, etc...) Anyone care to share their tried and true bread recipes? I have a bread maker, even if just for making the dough in. Thanks in advance

 

[englishteacha]

I got a good bread machine bread recipe from AllRecipes.com . It's basic but tastes good. I tried to adapt my mom's recipe for my bread machine but it never came out right.

* 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
* 3 tablespoons white sugar
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 3 cups bread flour
* 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (I use one packet)



DIRECTIONS

1. Place water, sugar, salt, oil, bread flour and yeast into pan of bread machine.
2. Bake on White Bread setting . Cool on wire racks before slicing.

 

[ZPT1022]

thanks! Do you know what loaf size that is?? I have to choose from 1 lb, 1.5 lb, or 2 lb

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I purchased my first bread machine last month and I am completely in love with it! I have been using it 3-4 times a week. Here are a couple of my families favorites.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Ciabatta-Bread/Detail.aspx

WARNING: These are sinfully good.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Clone-of-a-Cinnabon/Detail.aspx

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sweet-Dinner-Rolls/Detail.aspx

This made the best pizza dough ever.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Bread-Machine-Pizza-Dough/Detail.aspx

 

[MEM]

The trick to making great bread in the bread maker, I have found, is to proof the yeast in the bread bucket with the sugar and warm water for 10 minutes. Then add the flour, salt and in my recipe, olive oil. I know that the instruction manual says not to proof the yeast but we have found it works better if you do! To save money, we buy the large package of yeast at Costco.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

The trick to making great bread in the bread maker, I have found, is to proof the yeast in the bread bucket with the sugar and warm water for 10 minutes. Then add the flour, salt and in my recipe, olive oil. I know that the instruction manual says not to proof the yeast but we have found it works better if you do! To save money, we buy the large package of yeast at Costco.

That's very interesting. My bread machine instructions tells me to make sure the yeast and water do not make contact. I've not been too happy with any of my breads, but I think I need to take it out after need and bake in my oven. I think it's the shape and uneven browning I don't care for.

 

[MEM]

That's very interesting. My bread machine instructions tells me to make sure the yeast and water do not make contact. I've not been too happy with any of my breads, but I think I need to take it out after need and bake in my oven. I think it's the shape and uneven browning I don't care for.

My instructions say the same thing but when I googled "best breadmaker recipe" on allrecipes, there was one recipe with several hundred five star reviews for it and they ALL said to ignore the breadmaker instructions and make sure to proof the yeast first. I tried it both ways and proofing is the way to go - the bread is light and delicious, even when I use half whole wheat flour.

 

[Chicago526]

I have a kitchen aid mixer, and it only came with receipes for basic white bread and wheat bread. If anyone has receipes for other types, I'm all ears!

 

[ZPT1022]

thank you all very much. I am going to have to try it with proofing the yeast, wouldn't that be great if it was that simple! The breads I've made seem to be really dense and heavy

 

[dhuba]

When I use my bread machine, I don't proof the yeast, but I do watch it and make sure the dough is the right consistency before it is done kneading it. I have had it for so many years, I can usually tell from across the room the sound it should be making if it is right. I know they are suppose to be set it and forget it, but I found the best results when I watch it. All things are never the same, like the humidity, or the bread flour, which affects how it turns out. Most of the time I pull it out and shape my own rolls, or loaves, and they are light and fluffy. My son really likes when I flatten it out and sprinkle it with a little taco seasoning and cheddar cheese, and roll it up into a loaf for taco bread.

 

[branv]

I've never, not once, had any problems using the "bread machine" yeast that comes in the jar. What never works for me are the paper packets of "quick/rapid rise" yeast. Though funny story, my friend kept complaining that her bread never worked out and it turns out she was using regular yeast in the same fashion as bread machine yeast i.e. without proofing. And I kid you not, had been doing so for over a year. That's a lot of wasted bread!

In a recent book I purchased, the author puts Vital Wheal Gluten into all of her bread machine recipes. And wow, it REALLY does help the spring! It's really not expensive (though sometimes challenging to find...I did manage to find a box near the flour at Walmart) and especially helps out with those denser wheat breads. But please, PLEASE, do not confuse Vital Wheat Gluten with Gluten Flour. They are not the same product.

I posted this before, but one herbal bread I really enjoyed (totally unnutritious ) is this recipe from allrecipes: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Jos-Rosemary-Bread/Detail.aspx If you make it in the bread machine it's still quite good, but you could always form it into a round and bake it in the oven for a more rustic loaf.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

My instructions say the same thing but when I googled "best breadmaker recipe" on allrecipes, there was one recipe with several hundred five star reviews for it and they ALL said to ignore the breadmaker instructions and make sure to proof the yeast first. I tried it both ways and proofing is the way to go - the bread is light and delicious, even when I use half whole wheat flour.

Thanks for the info! I will definately try this the next time. BTW how long does "prooffing" take? Do you do this before you turn on the machine?

 

[ZPT1022]

Thanks for the info! I will definately try this the next time. BTW how long does "prooffing" take? Do you do this before you turn on the machine?

When I proof yeast for things like pizza dough, it's about 5 or so minutes, just long enough for a nice foam to grow on the top of the water/yeast/honey mixture

 

[TALB]

Does anyone have a recipe for beer bread? I love the stuff, but hate spending so much to buy it from Tastefully Simple. I don't have a bread machine so I need an oven recipe. Thanks

 

[MKCP5]

sub

 

[ZPT1022]

any more?

 

[MEM]

Thanks for the info! I will definately try this the next time. BTW how long does "prooffing" take? Do you do this before you turn on the machine?

I let it proof for ten minutes - I use the probe in my microwave to get the water temp to 110 degrees and then mix the water, yeast and sugar in the bread bucket. Close the lid, let proof for ten minutes then add the flour, salt and olive oil. Every loaf comes out perfectly - before, when I followed the breadmachine instructions and did NOT proof, every loaf was like a brick and half the height it should be!

 

[robin09]

I let it proof for ten minutes - I use the probe in my microwave to get the water temp to 110 degrees and then mix the water, yeast and sugar in the bread bucket. Close the lid, let proof for ten minutes then add the flour, salt and olive oil. Every loaf comes out perfectly - before, when I followed the breadmachine instructions and did NOT proof, every loaf was like a brick and half the height it should be!

Ok, feeling really stupid here, and hanging head in shame . What is proofing, and how do you do it? I just bought the Emeril bread machine and really interested in making great bread.

 

[corie161]

Does anyone have a recipe for beer bread? I love the stuff, but hate spending so much to buy it from Tastefully Simple. I don't have a bread machine so I need an oven recipe. Thanks

I have a recipe I've had sitting here that I heard on the radio one day that supposedly taste just like the TOH recipe. I haven't tried it though. If you do let me know how it is!

3c self rising flour
1c sugar
1 can/bottle beer

Mix until moist, bake in oven on 350 for 45min-1hr.

 

[MEM]

Ok, feeling really stupid here, and hanging head in shame . What is proofing, and how do you do it? I just bought the Emeril bread machine and really interested in making great bread.

Its a way of testing the yeast to see that its active - you feed the yeast with the sugar and warm water and it will bubble/foam and smell like bread. Once its good and foamy (about 10 minutes), then you can add the rest of the ingredients. I'm sure your breadmachine will tell you NOT to allow the yeast to touch the wet ingredients, but my experience in umpteen batches is that without proofing the yeast, my bread does not rise properly. I have never had a loaf of bread "runneth over" either.

The recipe I started with is from allrecipes.com Nearly 750 people reviewed it and most gave it five stars. I use olive oil and substitute one cup whole wheat flour for one cup of the bread flour.


Best Bread Machine Bread
SUBMITTED BY: DIGGETYDOG PHOTO BY: LUBSY

"This recipe is easy and foolproof. It makes a very soft and tasty loaf of bread with a flaky crust."

RECIPE RATING:

Read Reviews (745)
Review/Rate This Recipe

PREP TIME 10 Min
COOK TIME 40 Min
READY IN 3 Hrs
Original recipe yield 1 - 1 1/2 pound loaf

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 (.25 ounce) package bread machine yeast
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
Place the water, sugar and yeast in the pan of the bread machine. Let the yeast dissolve and foam for 10 minutes. Add the oil, flour and salt to the yeast. Select Basic or White Bread setting, and press Start.