Bread Machine Tips

Baking bread in a machine is really quite simple. You just add the ingredients and presto, in about three hours you have a nice hot loaf of fresh bread to eat. But there are a few things you need to think about. For instance, make sure that the paddle is properly seated before adding your ingredients. I also spray the paddle with a non sticking cooking spray so it doesn't stay in the loaf when you remove it from the machine. The bottom few slices will still have a hole but it will won't be as big if the paddle comes out easily. Another thing to consider when adding the ingredients tothe machine. You start by adding the liquids or wet ingredients, then all of the dry ingredients, the last ingredient added is always the yeast. That makes it easy.

You also need to be watching the dough as it is mixed in the machine. There can be times when the dough is either too wet or too dry. When you mix dough by hand you get a "feel" for the dough but when you use a machine you need to learn what "looks" right. If the dough is too dry you can add whatever liquid is in the recipe a tablespoon at a time until it is right. Or if it is too wet you can add a tablespoon at a time of flour until it is the correct consistency.

Bread that rises, but then caves in during baking usually indicates that you should either cut the yeast and sugar or use a shorter baking cycle.

If your bread comes out with large air bubbles it is an indication of too much yeast.

Anyway, there is a solution to any problems you might encounter. Finding those solutions might require some trial and error, but that is part of the fun and challenge!!

So if you have a bread machine collecting dust in the back of the cupboard, it is time to bring out and give it another try.....pretzel bread would be a good first attempt!!! I guarentee you whole family will love it!!