I enjoy making bread by hand. There's something satisfying about kneading the dough and the time and effort the whole process takes. But then again there are times I wish I could snap my fingers and have whatever I want. This was easy as three snaps, maybe four...okay five snaps. I found a recipe specifically for a breadmaker. It was suspiciously easy. All you have to do is put the ingredients in the breadmaker in a particular order per the breadmaker directions. Then press start...
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups water
4 tablespoons Grade A maple syrup
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
I closely followed the directions of the breadmaker instruction manual. Specifically this important diagram:
I did this exactly the way it's shown...exactlyI thought my perfect execution of the diagram paid off. The bread was rising beautifully. It was fluffy and big. But right as it started to bake the bread, it sunk in the middle. I have no idea why. I felt like a bread making failure.
Sunken loafI came to my senses once I realized it wasn't my fault. I did everything right. I put the ingredients in correctly. I followed the diagram. I closed the lid tightly. I even talked to the bread as it was rising. Encouraging it to get big and fluffy. But my efforts failed. It was out of my control. Bad breadmaker, BAD! So once it was finished baking, I sliced a piece of bread and toasted it. I buttered it with tears rolling down my eyes. At that moment I made a promise to myself to only ever make bread by hand.
If you look closely you can see my tears
The end.
=(
ReplyDeleteYou are too funny! I thought about getting a breadmaker, but I make homemade Easter bread by hand every year and it is not oo much trouble, so I decided not to get one! You have reinforced my decision. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love making bread by hand. But I did want to try this to compare. Making it by hand is the best! You can get all your frustrations out when you're kneading it. I like to punch it! haha!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your experience with your bread machine. But I love mine! It makes bread making so much easier and fast, esp. for a working mom with kids and a very busy schedule.
ReplyDeleteI must admit though, I only use it for making dough. I use it to do the mixing, kneading and 1st rising, then I take out the dough put it in the pan and bake it in the oven. Just follow the directions in your manual for making bread dough.
I bake our bread every week with the aid of my bread machine. From Ensaymada, Pan de Sal, Cinnamon Rolls, Pizza Dough, Loaf Breads, Raisin Breads, etc.
Try using it for making bread dough. I hope this helped.
I sold it! I moved over a year ago and still felt betrayed so I got rid of it. Thanks though. If I ever get another in the future I shall take your advice.
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