Let's Talk About Bread
 

I started a thread here about bread machines ...

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...d-machine.html

but I'd like to talk about specific types of bread & recipes. I'm looking for a good recipe for Italian bread - crispy hard crust with a soft middle. Some people have said that you can't bake Italian bread in a bread machine, and others have said they have, so I'm not sure about that :confused:.

I'd also like a good recipe for French bread - very similar to Italian (hard crust, soft middle)

So, if you have a good bread recipe (any kind at all) please post it here -
and, if you have a bread machine, go ahead and let us know what model you have, what you like (or dislike) about it, and what recipes you've tried in it.

I have a bread machine, can't remember the name, lol, I know it was an off brand. I think they're all about the same, though.

When I first got mine, I used alot of recipes from my cookbooks. Now, 15 years later... there are many box mixes to be found in the grocery store. These are great for when I'm in a hurry, or if I want to try a different kind/flavor, and don't want to have to buy all the separate ingredients.


Pros: Nothing beats the smell of fresh baked bread... except for eating it!

Cons: The only thing I don't like with mine is the shape of the loaf. It comes out square, lol, and not real attractive. I don't know if newer machines have addressed this issue, but that is what I'd look for if I was buying a new machine.

Thanks! What's your favorite type of bread to make? Any recipes?

I love all kinds of bread, except white! I guess a cinnamon raisin would be my favorite... I'll have to look up my recipes though, lol... it's been a while. I will get back to you. :D

Thanks. :) I found one that looked good, so I'll post it here in hopes of getting some more recipes :D. This one is NOT for a bread machine.

World's Best Cinnamon Raisin Bread Not Bread Machine) Recipe - Food.com - 98867

Anymore bread recipes???

Recently this has been my favorite bread, although not really for a bread machine. I guess you could mix the dough in a bread machine but it has to be baked on a sheet pan.

This bread is wonderful with soups/stews. I will even use two sheet pans to get the dough spread out thinner (makes a thinner baked bread) so that I can use it with sandwiches. Also, I don't use quite as much oil on the pan, the recipe calls for 1/2 cup, and I use about 1/3 cup.
Delicious!!

Focaccia Recipe : Anne Burrell : Food Network

I was going to post on your bread machine thread and forgot. I've had a bread machine for at least 10 years now and haven't used it the past 6 years or so. For me, it's just easier to make bread the old-fashioned way.

Thanks! I love Focaccia bread & this one looks delicious! From what I've read, and from reading people's comments here, I think I'll be better off without the bread machine, just making the different breads the old fashioned way. It seems to get really good bread it has to be baked in the oven. This recipe is a must try - thanks again. :thumbup: :thumbup:

I bought a breadmachine about 15 yrs ago never liked it

It is delicious. I saw her make this on the show a couple of months back (with a chicken soup recipe-yum) and I've made this bread now about once a week since then. It has to wonderful for me to go to this kind of trouble that often!

lol...if you were here, I would give you my bread machine, just to get it out of the cabinet. I tried selling it at a garage sale, and couldn't get $10 out of it.....couldn't see selling a $100 bread machine for less and decided it could sit in my cabinet.....how silly is that?!

LOL, well you've convinced me to NOT get a bread machine ... I guess I better start working those kneading muscles :p. About how long does it take you to make this? Do you have to knead the dough, then let it rise, then knead again, etc. etc? I guess I can make a day of it.

That's what I love about this bread - it's easy to make! I just mix it in my kitchenaid stand mixer(I didn't even use the dough hook, just the standard mixing attachment), then dump it out on a lightly floured surface, knead for a few minutes. It rises the first time, then you spread it out on the pan(s) and let it rise the final time before baking.

If you like coarse sea salt.....use liberally like the recipe mentions.

It doesn't take long at all to mix and knead. Most of the time is just waiting for the dough/bread to rise.

Oh, that's great, thanks! I have a KitchenAid mixer :). I think this recipe would be great with my homemade chicken salad :thumbup: .

I have been making this bread for years. It's SO EASY and the crust is to DIE for :dribble:
Bittman's No-Knead Bread Phenomenon | The Kitchn

Thanks! I am going to try this one!

I made this one over the weekend : How To Make Crusty Italian Bread | How To Cook Like Your Grandmother

It came out perfectly! Next I'm going to try the Focaccia bread recipe. Thanks guys - keep 'em coming!! :)

I am printing some of these bread recipes and waiting for my Kitchenaid mixer to arrive :)

We need more recipes! :)

I am definitely trying this one....sounds just like what I've wanted!

The Bittman's sounds good, but I don't usually think that far ahead. I'm more the type that wakes up and decides to make bread that day, not the type that thinks of it the day before.

Betty....you'll have to let us know how you like your mixer and the breads.

I am so anxious for it to come, can't wait to make these 2 and the Corn chowder
recipe that is posted in soups..I will look like Ms Piggy before winter is over :D

A friend gave me this recipe...it sure sounds easy

Cousin Peg's spoon rolls

1 packet active dry yeast

2 cups warm water (100 F)

1-1/2 sticks butter melted

1/4 cup sugar

1 large egg

4 cups self rising flour

Disolve yeast in warm water..use electric mixer to combine butter and sugar,
then add egg, then yeast and combine well, gradually stir in flour until smooth

pour into a well greased airtight 2 quart bowl, store tightly covered in fridge to rise overnight

the next day preheat oven to 350f grease muffin tins, spoon dough into each muffin cup(about 3/4 full and bake til nice and brown

You won't believe this
 

:rolleyes: The ups man delivered my new mixer that i have waited so patiently
for, while i was stuck on the phone...DH opened the pkg took the mixer out and took all packing out and burned it...finally i am able to get off the phone and look at my beautiful (Red) Kitchenaid mixer sitting there and i ask where he put the accessories (dough hook & flat beater) he said that was all that was in the box..
so i called the company and told them what was missing, they told me yes you have them they are pressed into the styrofoam i said ok and then ask dh if there was styrofoam in the box he said yes i burned it to :eek:

so now i am waiting for new one to be delivered.....now we know why they are called DH's LOL

There's nothing better than a slice of freshly baked, warm bread. And don't skimp on the butter. I just *love* the smells filling the house, especially when it's raining or snowing out.....As soon as you would open the door you would get hit with such an awesome aroma! They ought to make this smell into an air freshener.....

I haven't made bread in about a year or so but I did make a cinnamon bread and a braided cardamom bread that was soooo good.....Great, now you guys have me thinking about popovers! :rolleyes:

i've been making bread for years. started out with a bread machine and then got rid of it because i found myself taking the dough out alot and kneading by hand. the machine just didn't do it right. then went on to the KA mixer for a while but still didn't like it that much. so i'm back to mixing & kneading by hand which i LOVE. i find it very relaxing.

as for recipes i get alot of great ones from the king arthur flour site. every one i've done ~ bread machine & regular has been excellent. i also do sourdough and i love it ~ got the starter from them years ago.

the site with recipes:
Bread: King Arthur Flour
for bread machine, see the list on the left side.

Wow Betty - :eek: DH is in trouble now, isn't he? LOL :D Glad you are getting new accessories!

NrfnKiva - Thanks for the King Arthur flour recipes!!

I'm still looking for recipes if anyone else has anymore to try :)

I've tried hundreds of whole wheat breads and this is by far the best. When I make bread, I made rolls instead. I just take an inch ball and roll it into a long tube and then wrap and fold under. It takes a few seconds to do each one, once you have the technique down, and the look lovely when cooked. The bonus is they cook faster, 10-15 minutes, and you can freeze the remaining rolls and just thaw when you want them. Homemade breads don't have the preservatives, so they don't last long, and fats and eggs can make them stay tasty little longer, but without fats and eggs, you really need to eat the same day or freeze, both of these breads are low fat compared to most. These recipes are very healthy and extreemly tasty!


1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp brown sugar, divided.
2 cups warm water
2 packs yeast
5-6 cups whole-wheat flour
¾-powdered milk
2 tsp salt
1/3 cup of oil
Dissolve 1 Tbsp browns sugar in warm water and add yeast Place 4 cups of flower powdered milk and 1/3 cup brown sugar and salt in mix. Turn to speed 2 and mix about 15 seconds. Gradually add yeast mixture and oil to flour mixture and mix ½ minutes longer. Scrape bowl. Add remaining floor ½ cup at a time, and mix until dough clings to hook, and cleans side of bowl, about 2 minutes. Kneed 2 minutes longer. Rise in grease bowl, 1 hour, shape let rise again 1 hour. Bake at 350.

The mulitgrain bread below is good for someone who's not ready for the wholegrain, it will get you to like the rougher texture of whole grain breads. I make these into rolls too.

Ingredients
1/4 cup warm water
1-1/2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
2 tablespoons bread flour
1-1/2 teaspoons white sugar
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
2-1/4 cups warm water
2-1/4 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
5 cups bread flour

In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, stir together 1/4 cup warm water, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, 1/8 cup bread flour, and yeast. Let grow for about 5 minutes. It will bubble almost immediately.
Measure 1 cup oats, 2 1/4 cups warm water, ½ cup whole wheat flour, 2 ¼ tsp salt, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1/3 cup oil into the mixing bowl. Mix on low speed with a dough hook for 1 to 2 minutes. Increase speed slightly, and begin adding bread flour 1/2 to 1 cup at a time until dough pulls away from sides of bowl. Humidity determines how much flour you need before the bread pulls away from the edge of the bowl. It is normal for the dough to be sticky.
Place dough in an oiled bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Divide dough into 6 pieces. Shape loaves, and place in greased 8 x 4 inch pans. Let rise until dough is 1 inch above rim of pans, usually 1 hour. Bake at 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C) for 35 minutes, or until tops are browned. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, and then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Today was busy tomorrow ill be to but friday is bread baking day, my new parts came today :D

I just bought a West Bend Hi Rise bread machine and love it! I don't always bake the bread in the machine but definitely let it do the kneading for me. It has two paddles and it has yet to fail me when it comes to kneading the dough. And it was under $100. My hands just can't handle all the kneading that has to be done with some of the bread recipes I use so it was well worth the money for me. I was going to post the link to King Arthur Flour but someone beat me to it.

I had a bread machine about 20 years ago so I figured they had to improve on them in the last 20 years and they definitely have. I made dough for homemade pretzels in mine the other night and the dough came out perfect. I've made dough for sticky buns and even tried a sweet dough for sticky buns as well. I ALWAYS add Vital Wheat Gluten to all my dough as it helps with rising and shaping the loaves. I also always use bread flour (been using King Arthur but going to try Pillsbury as it's about $1.00 less).

So if anyone has some good sweet dough and cinnamon roll dough recipes I'd love to see them on this thread.

Lots of recipes here for downloading:

Recipe archive download

Wow, thanks everyone! That site has a TON of good recipes. Guess I will be making bread again this weekend :p. Betty, be sure to post what you make today :)

Okay i will :)