Bread maker

goldfinches

Just spotted that One-Eye has posted another competition that also has a breadmaker as a prize so here's the link.
E: 28/02 Win a Panasonic SD-ZX2522 breadmaker — MoneySavingExpert Forum

silver-oldie

anniecave said:

I've never had a bread maker, but since I was given a small slow cooker as a gift a year ago I regularly make different breads in the slow cooker.  I use the method where you just mix the ingredients together and leave to rise overnight, then punch back the dough and place in slow cooker to cook.  This website gives the basic method:
https://www.bakedbyanintrovert.com/slow-cooker-bread/
However I generally cook the bread for around 1 hour 45 mins, then take the bread out, turn it upside down and put it back in again to cook for a further 20 mins, then take it out.
I've experimented with different recipes - fruit based breads like for example apple and raisin, banana and raisin, or savoury like cheese bread, onion and herb bread, or peanut butter bread. Lots of possibilities! 

Sorry if this is a stupid question but do you use bread flour  or ordinary plain flour. 
Thank you

Flash32

silver-oldie said:

anniecave said:

I've never had a bread maker, but since I was given a small slow cooker as a gift a year ago I regularly make different breads in the slow cooker.  I use the method where you just mix the ingredients together and leave to rise overnight, then punch back the dough and place in slow cooker to cook.  This website gives the basic method:
https://www.bakedbyanintrovert.com/slow-cooker-bread/
However I generally cook the bread for around 1 hour 45 mins, then take the bread out, turn it upside down and put it back in again to cook for a further 20 mins, then take it out.
I've experimented with different recipes - fruit based breads like for example apple and raisin, banana and raisin, or savoury like cheese bread, onion and herb bread, or peanut butter bread. Lots of possibilities! 

Sorry if this is a stupid question but do you use bread flour  or ordinary plain flour. 
Thank you

Not a stupid question at all.  You will get much better results using a good quality bread flour.  The cheaper bread flours on the supermarket shelves is OK, but this is one place where quality really pays.  I use Wessex Mill flours with Doves yeast (125g packet not sachets - far cheaper), but any good quality ones are OK.  You may need to experiment a bit with the liquid content to get the best results - too little will give you a very crumbly bread, too much and it may collapse.  An alternative is to use the breadmaker to make and prove the dough, then take it out and shape it - either into a loaf tin or rolls, which is what I do, then cook it in the oven.  That way you get the crust you want.  Good luck!

Flash32

silver-oldie said:

anniecave said:

I've never had a bread maker, but since I was given a small slow cooker as a gift a year ago I regularly make different breads in the slow cooker.  I use the method where you just mix the ingredients together and leave to rise overnight, then punch back the dough and place in slow cooker to cook.  This website gives the basic method:
https://www.bakedbyanintrovert.com/slow-cooker-bread/
However I generally cook the bread for around 1 hour 45 mins, then take the bread out, turn it upside down and put it back in again to cook for a further 20 mins, then take it out.
I've experimented with different recipes - fruit based breads like for example apple and raisin, banana and raisin, or savoury like cheese bread, onion and herb bread, or peanut butter bread. Lots of possibilities! 

Sorry if this is a stupid question but do you use bread flour  or ordinary plain flour. 
Thank you

Here's a recipe for a lovely "granary" bread dough that you can either let the breadmaker cook or let it make the dough and then shape and cook it yourself:

250g granary bread flour (I use Wessex Cobber, but Allinson's or Hovis works brilliantly)

250 strong wholemeal bread flour (I use Wessex Wholemeal but again, Allinson's or Hovis is good)

1 tsp quick yeast (I use Doves)

1 tsp salt

325 ml water - or if you can get it - 25 ml barley malt extract and 300 ml water.  This adds even more flavour and the yeast loves it!

A small handful of sunflower seeds and the same of pumpkin seeds

Follow your breadmaker's instructions - generally, the yeast goes in first, then dry ingredients, then water/barley malt extract last.  Make sure the yeast and salt stay separate or the salt will kill the yeast.  If your breadmaker has a nut/seed/raisin dispenser, put the sunflower and pumpkin seeds in there, but make sure you use the setting that dispenses them!  Set the breadmaker for the size of loaf equivalent to 500g flour then set either for it to cook the loaf or if you want dough use that setting.

If making dough and shaping/cooking yourself, take the dough out of the breadmaker when made, then shape.  Use a 2 lb / 900g loaf tin for a loaf or shape into 12 rolls and place on a greased baking sheet, preferably a nice thick steel one.  The loaf will take around 45 mins to prove, rolls around 60 mins depending on temperature. 

Cook at Gas Mk 7 / Conventional Electricity 220C / Fan 200C with a pan of boiling water underneath.  Loaf cooks for 35 mins, rolls for 22 mins, turning once halfway through.  I go for quite a dark crust, but if you like your bread less well done, just reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.  When cooked, tap the bottom of the loaf or rolls and they should sound hollow.  If you like your loaf really crusty all over, take it out of the tin when cooked, turn it upside down and put back in the oven for 3-5 minutes.

The result is lovely and crusty with real flavour and a nice nutty crunch - but with no nuts and virtually no additives, unlike the commercial product.

PS - I have absolutely no relationship with any of the companies mentioned - these are the products that I use - and have done for years.

silver-oldie

Thank you, looking forward to trying your recipes

richardw

Aldi have a special buy with a 15 hour timer in store now https://www.aldi.co.uk/ambiano-bread-maker-550w/p/709792447820200