Store-bought loaves can't compare to the taste and smell of homemade bread. But for many people, the standard process of mixing, kneading, rising and baking the dough takes too long to perform regularly. Bread machines perform the same functions and only require time to add ingredients to the pan and turn the machine on. Pay attention to the details when using a bread machine, and your machine can produce a loaf almost as good as a handmade one.
Instructions
1. Set any refrigerated ingredients out on the counter to bring them to room temperature.
2. Check the capacity of your bread machine. The manual for your machine will note whether the largest loaf it can make is 1, 1 1/2 or 2 pounds. If you do not have the manual, measure water into the pan of the machine and count how many cups it takes to fill the pan. A machine that holds at least 12 cups makes 2-pound loaves, one that holds 11 cups makes 1 1/2-pound loaves, and one that holds under 11 cups only makes 1-pound loaves. Larger machines can make smaller loaves as well.
3. Scale your recipe to fit your bread machine if it is not a bread machine recipe. Use about 2 cups of flour for a 1-pound loaf, about 3 cups for a 1 1/2-pound loaf, and about 4 cups for a 2-pound loaf. For example, if you want to make a 1 1/2-pound loaf and your recipe calls for 6 cups of flour, divide the amount of every ingredient by two.
If the recipe is meant for bread machines, check the flour amount to make sure it is appropriate for your machine. Don't use a recipe that calls for 4 cups of flour in a 1-pound machine, for example; scale the recipe to fit the machine.
4. Run tap water until it is warm - about 80 degrees F - or measure out the amount the recipe calls for and heat it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Test the water temperature on the inside of your wrist; if it feels warm but not hot, the temperature is correct. Add the water to the bread machine pan.
5. Measure and add other liquid ingredients to the bread pan, including oil, honey, eggs or milk. Also add butter or margarine, if needed. Cut it into small chunks before adding it to the pan.
6. Measure and add the dry ingredients, including salt, sugar and flour. To accurately measure flour, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with the back of a table knife. Make sure the flour completely covers the liquid ingredients in the pan.
7. Measure and add the yeast. Make sure it doesn't touch the liquid until the machine begins mixing.
8. Place the pan in the bread machine and turn the machine on. Select the correct cycle for the type of bread you are making. Most machines have cycles for basic, wheat, sweet and french breads. Use the wheat cycle for any bread containing wheat flour, sweet for breads with more than 1 to 2 tbsp. of sugar; french for breads with no fat, and basic for other breads. Select light, medium or dark crust if your machine has crust settings. Press the start button.
9. Check the dough when the machine begins kneading. If the manual does not say when the kneading begins, you can tell by the loud turning and thumping noises. Touch a finger to the dough - it should feel soft and springy, but not sticky. Add water 1 tbsp. at a time if it feels too dry or hard, or flour 1 tbsp. at a time if it feels sticky.
10. Let the machine complete its cool down cycle before opening the lid. Use a oven mitt to lift the pan from the machine and turn the bread out on a cooling rack to finish cooling. Slice the bread once it has cooled completely.
Tags: bread machine, your machine, 2-pound loaf, about cups, cups flour