Someone gave me a bread maker...

[Antonia]

It is a Cuisinart that someone gave to their mom. Not a Christmas gift or anything. They just said it is too nice to give to Goodwill and so she gave it to me because she never cooks. Anyway, I have never used one and I just wondered is it worth using? Is it hard to make bread with? She gave me a recipe book with it, but not the actual users manual for the Cuisinart bread maker.

 

[TinklednPants]

I think they are great and simple enough to use. Just be precise in your measurements.
My favorite feature is the timer. You put all your ingredients in at night , set the timer, and wake to the smell of fresh baked bread!!! Put a timer on the coffee pot too and you are in olfactory heaven.

 

[lovesmurfs]

It is a Cuisinart that someone gave to their mom. Not a Christmas gift or anything. They just said it is too nice to give to Goodwill and so she gave it to me because she never cooks. Anyway, I have never used one and I just wondered is it worth using? Is it hard to make bread with? She gave me a recipe book with it, but not the actual users manual for the Cuisinart bread maker.

We love, love our bread maker! There are loads of online resources. Ours is over 15 years old, and is only a 1-lb loaf, so the loaves don't last long.

The key is knowing the loaf size (so that you don't overfill) and being willing to experiment and make mistakes. Remember that the recipes are really chemistry, and that the salt, sugar, and other ingredients react differently with the yeast. As a PP mentioned, be precise with the measuring.

We've had several "passover" loaves because we've forgotten the yeast.

Also, if you have a Sams or a Costco, you can buy mongo bags of yeast and containers of honey (we use honey to sweeten) more cheaply than a regular store.

Have fun!!!

 

[MIGrandma]

I bought a Breadman Pro breadmaker a few months ago from Amazon.com.

I mostly got it because it has a gluten-free setting, so I can easily make my own gluten-free bread.

But I also make regular bread with it as well. Mine came with a recipe booklet and I have tried a couple of those, really loved the pumpernickel.

I also like the Hodgson Mills bread mixes I can buy at the grocery store. They are found in the baking aisle. We love the 9-grain, and cheese herb the most.

The breadmaker is so easy to use. If it's a mix I just dump in the hot water, the mix, and then the yeast on top. Choose my settings and press "start." Even the other recipes are really simple, I always put the warm water in first, then dry ingredients, with yeast on top.

I'm really glad I bought it. Hope you enjoy yours!!