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cat lover
07-06-2006, 08:57 PM
Use bakers spray to spray the globe top (inside) of bread machines in case your breads over rise and stick. This aids in cleanup.

Use a small pastry or paint brush to sweep away the bread crumbs inside your machine and use a damp paper towel to pick them up. If your paddle sticks inside the bread, try using a bakers spray on the paddle next time.

Low fat products such as skim milk, egg beaters, light margarine low or non fat sour cream etc. work well, but the texture of the bread may not be the same as for higher fat products. Bread may be denser and smaller.

Bread that does not come out satisfactory may be use for bread crumbs, bread pudding, bread dumplings or for the birds.

Leave the bread in the machine during the cool down phase, this gives extra cooking time without additional browning.

Cool breads at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing.

Any breads that doesn'n seem quite baked, can be place in a conventional 350 degree oven for 10 minutes to finish baking,

Eggs: when directions call for 1/2 of egg, just use one small egg. Normally large eggs are used.

Too much garlic and cinnamon may decreases the power of yeast in a bread recipe. A small amount is okay when added directly with ingredients but do not go overboard if you are a garlic or cinnamon lover. Add the extras in the last kneading cycle.

SALT: is needed to control the activity of the yeast. You must use salt or your bread may overise, collapse and have a coarse uneven texture. Certain salt substitutes may work well to replace table salt

SUGAR: feeds the yeast and helps it grow. Too much causes the yeast cells to over multiply and eventually collapse, casing a poor small product. Brown sugar easily replaces granulated white sugar. So does honey but reduce the amount of the liquid by the same amount of honey added. Sugar substitutes cannot replace the function of sugar. Sweet breads tend to brown darker. Use sweet bread cycle for breads with a lot of sugar, fats and eggs. Only add the amount of dried fruit specified as dried fruit does add some sugar to the dough. Usually fruits and nuts are added at the "beep "if added and mixed into the dough to early.

FATS (oil, butter, margarine, mayo, crisco etc.) are all dough enhancers. Fats condition the dough and keep breads fresher longer. Butter tends to cause a crisper crust, margarine a little tougher and solid vegetable shortening a little softer. When used in small amounts none of the above will cause a noticeable change in flavor.

LIQUIDS: such as milk and water etc. activate the binding ingredients and add moisture. Milk produces a softer smoother bread texture and a darker crust than water does. Dry powdered milk or buttermilk is an excellent choice to add to breads. If you add 2 tablespoons directly to the dry ingredients you need not necessarily alter the wet ingredients.

HIGH ALTITUDE BAKING: Flour is dryer at higher altitudes and therefore will absorb more liquid. You'll need less flour in the recipe. Dough also tend to rise faster at higher elevations. Therefore you will need less yeast, a bit more salt and a bit less sugar. You will have to experiment with bread recipes to see what works for you.

Bilby
10-10-2006, 05:21 AM
I cheat with my bread maker, I don't like the funny shape it turns out to be so I make my dough in the machine, take out, knead, and turn into a normal bread tin, rise 40 mins then bake in the normal oven. This makes a loaf that is easier to handle when I slice as I find that a bit of a challenge sometimes LOL

I always slice and freeze my bread as soon as it's cooled, as I find that the next day the bread is heavy and to chewy to eat.

cat lover
10-10-2006, 03:39 PM
I have two different bread machines, I like my WestBend better too because it makes a traditional loaf shape. What breads do you like the best?

Bilby
10-10-2006, 07:10 PM
I usually make a grian bread for eating but do not make it always, I buy it more often BUT, I love to make rolls, scrolls and flavoured breads for occasoions.
Tomato and herb
cheese and vegemite scrolls
cheese, bacon and onion scrolls
I have done a herb and anchovey (requested for bbq)
Apple and cinnamon,
sultana and apple
chocolate scroll.
The savoury is just a white/seed loaf and I add the herbs I need to flavour
The sweet is just a fruit/spice loaf mix and the extras added after.
I roll the dough out flat, spread awith whatever and roll into a log.
I either cut into inch strips, lay on their sides and bake or bake a log shape and slice and when cooked.

Mine is a large Breville breadmaker.

cat lover
10-10-2006, 09:06 PM
You know; I've not done much except regular loaf bread in mine. i have som any recipes for others, but just never seem to take the time; and I don;t know why! LOL All of those sure sound good! We love grain breads with all sorts of "crunchies" in it! And sweet dough made into various things would make great road trip breakfast for us!

Bilby
10-10-2006, 09:10 PM
For the longest time I did not branch out into flavoured breads until I went to buy some and thought WOW that is sooo expensive, I can do that.
As you go along you find you don't have to be as precise they say you do, I have no set amounts for the "extras" I make it up as I go along.

cat lover
10-10-2006, 09:34 PM
This winter while we are either snowed or iced in I'll have to try out some of your suggestions! Ummm, a good pot of coffee and some sweet bread! Yum-Yum!