Cooking
with a Bread Machine
- What can
I do if my bread is still doughy
in the middle?
- What is
wheat bran and how does it help
in the bread maker?
- Why is
my bread small?
- Why has
my bread flat topped or collapsed?
- What
do I do if my bread dough sticks
to the corners of the bread maker
pan during the mixing cycle?
- What
happened? My bread rose too much
in the bread maker!
- Why do
loaves sometimes turn out flat
in my bread maker?
What
can I do if my bread is still doughy
in the middle?
An instant read thermometer will
let you know when the bread is thoroughly
cooked. It should read at 190 degrees
F when put into the middle of the
bread after baking. If the cycle
is over and bread is not cooked
all the way through, you may finish
it in your conventional oven. Another
option, if you bread maker has a
Bake Only cycle, is finishing it
in the pan. However, most machines
need time to cool off before they
can bake again.
What
is wheat bran and how does it help
in the bread maker?
Wheat bran aids in digestion and
also gives bread a richer taste.
Recipes don’t normally call
for very much, but it can be found
in the flour isle at the supermarket.
Why
is my bread small?
It is likely that too little liquid
was added to your dough. During
bread making one adds liquid to
the yeast to stimulate its production
of CO2 allowing the dough to rise.
If too little liquid is added the
yeast cannot produce enough gluten,
causing the loaf to be too small
and dense.
Why
has my bread flat topped or collapsed?
Bread collapsing may be a sign
that you are using too much liquid.
When too much fluid is added gluten
growth is stimulated so much that
the dough cannot hold its structure
and collapses.
What
do I do if bread dough sticks to
the corners of the bread maker pan
during the mixing cycle?
One thing you can try is to put
½ tablespoon of oil in each
corner of the pan before adding
the water. This method has worked
well for many people.
What
happened? My bread rose too much
in the bread maker!
Salt helps keep your yeast in
check. Make sure you use at least
a ½ teaspoon per loaf.
Why
do loaves sometimes turn out flat
in my bread maker?
The problem may be in the flour
you are using. If you are using
all-purpose flour try switching
to bread flour, which contains more
gluten. Gluten helps the bread rise.
You may also check to be sure you
have enough sugar as yeast feeds
on sugar. Always make sure your
ingredients are warm or, at least,
at room temperatures. If you have
them at lower temperatures it may
kill the yeast.
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