Bread - Making Machines

Using a Bread Maker

bread dough

Bread makers may take the fun out of bread making, but if you enjoy home-made bread on a daily basis, they make it an increadibly easy process.  All you need to do is add the correct ingredients, press the right button and - hey presto - a few hours later, you have made a loaf of bread!

Many bread makers have a timer switch, so that you can programme your bread to be ready for when you get up in the morning.  Almost all bread makers will make a vareity of different types and sizes of loaves.  It is imporatant to understand the function of each control on your machine before starting to make a loaf of bread.  Each feature may vary slightly between different machines, but they all work in a bascially similar manner.

  • Packaged bread mixes can be used in your machine.  Check you handbook, as some manufactures may recommend specific brands.
  • Check that your machine can handle the amount of dough the bread mixes makes.  If the packet quantitiy is only marginally more than you usually make, use the dough cycle and then bake the bread conventionally
  • Select an appropriate setting: for instance, use the normal or rapid setting for white bread.
 

Cooling and Storing

white crusty bread

Cooling

Place the bread on a wire rack to allow the steam to escape and leave it for at least 30 minutes before slicing.  Always slice bread using a serrated knife to avoid damaging the crumb structure.

Storing

Cool the bread, then wrap it in foil or place it in a plastic bag and seal it, to preserve the freshness.  If your bread has a crisp crust, this will soften on storage, so until is is sliced it is best left uncovered.  After cutting, put the loaf in a large paper bag, but try to use is fairly quickly, as bread starts to dry out even more quickly, while those made with honey or added fats stay moist for longer.

Ideally, freshley baked bread should be consumed within 2 - 3 days.  Avoid storing bread in the fridge as this caused it to go stale more quickly.   Freeze baked breads if you need to keep them for longer.  Place the bread/rolls in freezer bag, seal and freeze for up to 3 months.  If you intend to use the bread for toast or sandwiches, it is easier to slice it before freezing, so you can removed only the number of slices you need.   Thaw the bread at room temperature, still in its freezer bag.