Quick questions on bread making

Pink.

mummyjane wrote: »

Hi,

Does using value flour make much of a difference to homemade bread? Do you need to add anything else? Complete novice breadmaker here

Thanks,

Jane x

Hi Jane,

I use half value flour and half strong bread flour to make bread, although I know some people swear by using only bread flour and some say that all plain flour works fine for them. I came to use both by trial and error.

If you have a look through The Complete Breadmaking Collection you'll find lots of advice but don't be afraid to come back and ask any questions because there will always be someone around who can help.

Pink

r.a.i.n.b.o.w

I used a Hovis packet-mix to make some wholegrain bread, followed the instructions exactly (dry mix + 350ml water + 1oz butter, for a 2lb wholemeal loaf set to medium crust as per the packet instructions), but something's gone wrong...it rose OK, but then sunk before the "baking" stage, and I am left with a loaf that's approx 2/3rds of what it should be, with a weird uneven top (looks like gravel that's been stirred about, IYSWIM).

What did I do wrong?

jammy_dodger

i have been using these pakets with success did you put ingredients in the correct order ?
some bread makers have liquid first others dry first
i think my hovis packet said 32oml water so may be too much liquid
not all bread makers like a rapid bake with these mixes if you used that setting ..hope these suggestions help am sure others may be able to help

Bennifred

I had this problem recently with those Hovis mixes (I bought a load when they were about 35p:rolleyes: ) Not had the problem with normal flour etc. So as not to waste the mixes, I tried using 100-200g of the mix as if it was flour as part of a loaf (i.e mixed with 400-300g normal flour, normal amounts yeast, salt, sugar, butter, water) Loaves have been fine this way. I think the problem may be with the Hovis flour in the mix, so use non-Hovis flour! HTH

r.a.i.n.b.o.w

jammy_dodger wrote: »

i have been using these pakets with success did you put ingredients in the correct order ?
some bread makers have liquid first others dry first
i think my hovis packet said 32oml water so may be too much liquid
not all bread makers like a rapid bake with these mixes if you used that setting ..hope these suggestions help am sure others may be able to help

Yep, mine is liquid first, and said 350mls of water

Also, I didn't rapid bake, as the instructions said not to

r.a.i.n.b.o.w

Bennifred wrote: »

I had this problem recently with those Hovis mixes (I bought a load when they were about 35p:rolleyes: ) Not had the problem with normal flour etc. So as not to waste the mixes, I tried using 100-200g of the mix as if it was flour as part of a loaf (i.e mixed with 400-300g normal flour, normal amounts yeast, salt, sugar, butter, water) Loaves have been fine this way. I think the problem may be with the Hovis flour in the mix, so use non-Hovis flour! HTH

Hmm! Interesting! I bought mine cos they were 27p each...:think:

Bennifred

r.a.i.n.b.o.w wrote: »

Hmm! Interesting! I bought mine cos they were 27p each...:think:

Oh no!:eek: I wuz robbed!:rotfl:

r.a.i.n.b.o.w

:rotfl: LOL!!

jembie

Where did you get these cheap mixes from? I can only get the Wright's ones from Sainsburys and they are 75/85p (Still cheaper than a loaf of bread though.)

annie-c

That happened to mine and I did a search and found another thread here that says the same. If you look at the packet there are a lot of additives to improve the dough and I think what is happening is that the bread is rising too much, hitting the top panel of the breadmaker and sinking.

The other thread says it works if you use 3/4 packet mix. I plan to make one using half the mix (so a 1lb loaf) tomorrow. I'll report back