handmade bread

neverlearn

silly me........found a whole thread on it in the stickies !

thank you

neverlearn

All seems to be bread machines though !

Thank you

Justamum

neverlearn wrote: »

All seems to be bread machines though !

Thank you

Bread is really easy to make by hand. You definitely don't need a bread machine!

500g bread flour (I use 1/4 wholemeal but you can use all white)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp instant yeast (I use the sort you sprinkle into the flour as it's easier, but if you have the granules dissolve it into the liquid you are going to use and leave to go frothy for about 10 minutes)
300ml hand hot water

Mix the flour, salt and instant yeast, then pour in the water. Mix well until all the flour is incorporated, then turn it out on to the worktop and knead for about 5-10 minutes. Some people sprinkle flour on to the work surface, but I don't as the texture will change after a few minutes to a lovely soft dough.

I use spray oil and spray the inside of the bowl (makes getting it out easier) then put the dough in, cover in cling film (I usually spray that too to stop it sticking) and leave it to rise until it's double in size. This varies depending on the time of year. I leave it overnight in winter, but it takes a couple of hours or less when the weather is warmer.

Knock back and knead briefly, then put into your bread tin (again, I spray the inside of it. I also don't wash my bread tins as it makes the bread stick to it. The tins develop a patina with use). Leave it to rise until it's just peeping out of the top of the tin, then turn on the oven to 200c. When it's hot put the tin in and cook for 40 minutes.

I usually make 2kg of flour at a time so I can slice and freeze the loaves. You might have noticed I haven't included sugar in the recipe. I don't use it, but if you want to then you put a teaspoon in with the flour.

Hope this isn't too waffly :rotfl:

Pink.

Hi neverlearn,

This thread has lots of recipes that should help:

handmade bread

And these threads may be of interest too:

Adventures with bread dough

Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day; recipe at post 30

I'll add your thread to the first lnk later to keep the recipes and advice together.

Pink

lapis_lazuli

Justamum wrote: »

You might have noticed I haven't included sugar in the recipe. I don't use it, but if you want to then you put a teaspoon in with the flour.

I use dried yeast, and always get the yeast to grow a bit before puttting it in with the flour, which means dissolving a teaspoon of sugar in the water with the yeast. The main advantage is that if, after 10 minutes with the jug surrounded by warm/hot water, you get no frothiness or anything, then you haven't just wasted 1.5 lbs of flour.

Hope this isn't too waffly :rotfl:

eilidh_s

I put honey instead of sugar into my bread as it seems to keep a lot longer without going stale. I also use a bit of olive oil and half white, half wholemeal flour. I haven't bought bread this year!

firsttimebuyers_2

neverlearn wrote: »

silly me........found a whole thread on it in the stickies !

thank you

Can someone point me towards the thread referred to here?! I'm after some breadmaker recipes and can't seem to find this at all.....

THANKS!!!!!

tesuhoha

I've just started using the breadmaker. I have a Bush and I have made two loaves in it. The first was wholemeal and tasted good but had a cakey heavy consistency. My husband said it was flat.

Today I made a french bread recipe. I followed it very carefully with perfect measurements. The dough rose up to the top of the tin and then dropped. This is what I imagine happened with the other loaf. It came out flat on top and although it smells alright I think it will be flat.

Last week on the other hand I made bread with the dough blade of the food processor. Just an ordinary white loaf with dried yeast but the results were fantastic. I also made pizza dough. I am on the verge of giving up on the breadmaker and will be making it by hand. I want to give up shop bought bread as I don't enjoy it and it is very expensive. I love the feel of the dough and like kneading it and watching it rise. I think making bread is a pleasure so the bread processor has not got me convinced. I bought it a few years ago and this is the first time I have used it.

I suppose it depends on the result of today's bread.

Swan_2

I love making bread by hand, it's so soothing & satisfying, but I also have a breadmaker, for when I don't have time or can't be bothered

the thing is there are breadmakers & there are breadmakers, some produce fantastic results & others produce the cakey kind of bread you're describing & there's really no help for the bad ones, they're just not up to the job also the rising & falling thing sounds as if your dough might be a bit too wet, or too warm or too much yeast, breadmakers are very unforgiving

there are a whole lot of threads about them on this forum & the general consensus is that a Panasonic or a Kenwood give the best results

but if you're happy making it by hand, I'd stick with what pleases you

tesuhoha

I might try to buy a Panasonic when I have the money but for now I think I will continue to make it by hand as I know I can make much nicer bread.