Making Bread in Kenwood

recovering_spendaholic

I tried making bread in my new Kenwood on Friday and it was okay! But I have a couple of questions which you may be able to help me with...

firstly, I used dried yeast (not the easyblend type) and followed the instructions by using a tbs for 650g flour. I didn't have a receipe so just put a bit of margarine in and rubbed it through, added a tsp of salt and then put the yeast mixture (left to froth first) and some warm water to make a pliable dough. I kneaded it with the dough hook for about 7 - 10 minutes and then made the bread. It rose fine, but there were two things I didn't like - firstly the bread had this kind of yeasty smell about it so DD's moaned, and secondly it didn't have a really crusty crust IYKWIM. Otherwise not bad for a first effort. Can anyone help with these issues (yeasty smell, how much marg, crusty crust and how long to knead with dough hook)? Also I have heard that adding vitamin C powder is good - how much and when do you add it?

tootles_2

Did you cook the loaf in a tin????? I used to take mine out of the tin and lay it on its side in the over for the last 15 minutes, this helped to crisp up the crust.........you can also brush the top of the loaf with water when you put the dough into the oven......this should help.

I used to use easy bake yeast, try a teasp of that rather than the dried yeast, and add a tablespoon of sugar...........

My old BM used to use a whole packet of easy bake yeast and it always smelt very yeasty, the Panasonic only uses a teaspoon full, I get great results in the BM. Have just started to use Tesco easybake and its working well, cheaper than the Hovis one I used to use. Hope this helps........