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Baking Bread

By: Carl Hanson

Far from intuitive, the process of turning an inhospitable stalk of grain into a light and airy loaf surely ranks among humankind's greatest inventions.

Bread Begins with Yeast

To thrive, yeast needs a warm, wet environment and a food source. Dissolve yeast in warm, not hot, water (110 degrees F) with a little sugar or honey. Set aside a few minutes until the mixture becomes a creamy foam. If it doesn’t get foamy, start over again.

The Rising

In a well-oiled bowl, turn the dough to coat it entirely with oil. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and place the bowl in a warm spot to allow it to rise. Another option: heat the oven to 80 degrees F, turn it off and place the bowl inside.

Bread from a Machine

Bread making is a lot easier these days. Today we have machines that mix the dough, allow it to rise, and bake the loaf all within the same space. All you do is add the ingredients and then wait for that warm, enticing aroma to fill the house.

Comments

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Manda

Jun. 14, 2009 8:06 am

I am very sure that bread machines are really nice, but, I don't have one. I like the ingredients can some of these recipes include regular instructions??

Jun. 17, 2009 11:14 am

I'm with Manda-ready to bake bread without the machine-there should be a section of those recipes!

ElizabettyS

Jun. 22, 2009 10:34 am

I am all for that! Just looked at a recipe and got to the end only to realize it was for a machine! =[ lol It seems there are some of us who actually like to bake.

kelnat

Jun. 22, 2009 12:43 pm

I am having the same problem.

jessie kicker

Jun. 23, 2009 10:27 am

In total agreement. I don't have enough room on my counters for a bread machine, much less my cupboards!

sandy

Jul. 1, 2009 6:54 am

I agree. I have a bread machine and I don't like the denseness of the bread it makes, so I make my bread by hand. I'm trying two machine recipes by hand today and I'll post the results.

sandy

Jul. 1, 2009 12:27 pm

Results using the bread machine recipes by hand were very good. My method, although not traditional works well and is very easy. Whatever the liquid is I heat it and put it in a bowl. Add all other ingredients - the yeast last. I use instant yeast - I'm not sure how this is different from regular or fast-rising yeast. I then mix and knead for 10 min. I let dough rise, punch down, and rise again in loaf shape and bake. I made Jo's Rosemary Bread and Russian Black Bread this way. I set oven at 350 and baked rosemary bread for 30 min. and the black bread for 40 min. Both were excellent.

Sarah

Jul. 14, 2009 9:26 am

I'm in the same boat. I've found that a lot of bread recipes (especially the popular ones) have comments on how to make the bread without a bread machine. I've used a couple of these and works fine :)

RachelMonroy

Jul. 21, 2009 12:14 pm

It is good to know that you can do a bread machine recipe by hand.. I get so frustrated when I find a recipe I want to make and then it is for a machine, or often the case with desserts, requires a mix. Glad to know that a bread machine is not a staple in other people's kitchens, I doubt I will ever own one because I love to bake!

Hester

Aug. 12, 2009 9:48 am

Is there a way to refine the search to EXCLUDE "bread machine" since I don't own one?

deanna

Aug. 13, 2009 6:59 am

New to the site and like what I see. Do you find it less expensive to bake your own breads rather than purchase them? I have an electric stove and the cost of electric use is high. Would it still be cost effective to bake my own breads. Thanks Deanna

staceywatts

Aug. 16, 2009 11:50 am

For those with a bread machine and want to make recipes that are not for a bread machine..I just use my dough cycle and let it do it's final rise after shaping it. Works perfectly!

Agnes Chin

Sep. 7, 2009 1:05 am

I am interested to bake bread in the traditional way...kneading..however, i have problem, i find it difficult to buy bread flour here. What can I substitute it with? And do I need to add in other ingredients? Please advise.

CATHY.D.

Sep. 17, 2009 9:16 am

ditto

BakerB

Sep. 17, 2009 12:58 pm

I still make all my bread and sweetroll dough by hand in a large stainless steel bowl. Making dough/bread by hand takes practice. My grandma said knead it till it squeaks or feels like a babys bottom. Another way to tell is take a piece of dough and stretch out as thin as possible. You should be able to see through it. Gold Medal nakes a real good bread flour which I use for regular wheat or white bread. I use AP flour for every thing else. I've used bread machines but always go back to doing it by hand.

Jennifer

Sep. 30, 2009 5:43 pm

I am old fashioned in a modern society, and make all my bread by hand. I also love to bake! I only use my kitchen aid mixer to mix the dough. I too saw many recipes that sound good but are for the bread machine. Can these recipes be made by hand?

MEMERY

Oct. 4, 2009 7:34 am

I am with many of the other people here. I had a bread machine but hated the hole that was left in the bread from the mixing paddle. I like to make bread for sandwiches for my kids and they don't like having a hole in the bread. I would love a section of bread recipes that do not require a bread machine.

MEMERY

Oct. 4, 2009 7:39 am

Deanna, In answer to your question. I let my oven serve two purposes. I bake bread to save money over store bought breads. But I also let my oven heat my house. Yes I use electricity but because I buy ingredients in bulk and don't need to run my heat yet, I think it saves me money in the long run. Look at all the gas you save by staying at home to make your bread. Thank you Sandy! I can't wait to get baking now that I know I can use the bread machine recipes. Thank you so much!

oatmeal1975

Oct. 5, 2009 11:01 am

Not everyone has a bread machine. How about some non-bread machine posts? This is really disappointing.

js1951

Oct. 11, 2009 5:27 pm

Yes I wish that the recipes were set up for the people thhat don't use a bread machine. I have been looking for instructions for making regular bread, I have not had any luck. Is there anyone out there that has instructions to make braed the old fashion way, If so please post them if you can.

Silvia

Oct. 15, 2009 11:12 pm

I don't have a bread machine (at least no yet!) but I've seem chefs on TV using a Food Processor with the kneeding accesory. I will try it tomorrow and I will let you know if it works.

ManassasMa

Oct. 18, 2009 1:49 pm

I hope it's OK to post this. I don't have a bread machine, either, and had the same frustration as many of you. A couple of minutes on the internet and I came across this article: http://www.essortment.com/all/bakingbreadrec_omj.htm. I've been baking my own bread for about 6 months now, and I refer to the article regularly when I do. In my world, the information it contains continues to be PRICELESS.

Michelle

Oct. 22, 2009 7:06 am

I agree with all the comments in regards to finding recipes that do not require a bread machine. As any cook will probably agree, we enjoy getting our hands sticky and messy. There should be a section on "NON BREAD MACHINE BREADS". When I searched under ratings for top rated bread and rolls most of the recipes were for Bread machine. I had one but did not like it because it takes away the fun of cooking.

nanajly

Oct. 25, 2009 11:38 am

I agree, it would help if there was a section for breads in a non-bread machine sections or a notice in the recipes on how to make it without a bread machine.

Shelley

Nov. 3, 2009 1:52 pm

I have worn out 3 bread machines and refuse to buy anymore. I now use my Kitchen Aid mixer with the dough hook. I follow any recipe that sounds good and have fabulous results. I bake at 350 and just check after about a 1/2 hour to see if it is done. I also bake all my loaf bread on a stone - this gives me a great crust and moist center. This is way better than any machine. Now if I just could find a large loaf stone to give me the traditional shape!

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