Bread Making Basics

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Top 3 reasons people don't 

make their own yeast bread!

#1- Time

Yeast bread has to rise for 1-2 hours in a bowl and another

1-2 hours on a pan.  Then it bakes for 25-30 minutes.  This

is the main reason no one bothers with bread making.

Solution:Oven proofing only takes 90 minutes start to finish.

  Take any yeast bread recipe and use this technique.  Let prepared dough rise right in the mixing bowl for 20 minutes

(30 if whole wheat).  Then turn out onto a floured surface
and knead until smooth the more you knead the chewier it becomes.  The less you knead the softer it will be.  

  Prepare loaves and place in loaf pans or on a baking sheet.  If you would like a golden sheen on your bread slice the tops and brush with a beaten egg now.  Then place into a preheated 170 degree oven for 20 minutes(25 if whole wheat).  Then turn oven up to 400 degrees for 20 more minutes.  Last turn oven down to 350 degrees for 10 minutes.(note:leave pan(s) in the oven during temp changes)

  If you do not have a digital temp control on your oven 

check it for accuracy with an oven thermometer.

#2-Won't rise

Solution: Don't kill the yeast

Yeasty Beasties

 Yeast is a living organism.  Yeast needs two things to work.

Food(sugar) and water(@115 degrees).  Place 1 tbs. sugar, 

1/2 c. warm water and 2 tsp. or 1 envelope of yeast into a 

small bowl and in 5 minutes you should see foamy bubbles.  

If you don't, check the date on your yeast. If the date is good start over because the water was to hot.  A good thermometer

comes in handy here.  I have an instant hot water heater so

I set it at the proper temp(115F). *Tip Store yeast in the fridge. 

Check out the bubbles between 1/4c and 2/3 c.

  

#3- It sticks

Solution:Parchment Paper and Sil Pats 

  I can't tell you how many loaves I ruined until I figured this one out.  Parchment paper works great for loaf pans.  Cut the paper to fit and butter, then just lift right out.  Sil Pats are wonderful for french bread.  Also sprinkle  cornmeal on the Sil Pat for an amazing bottom crust. 

  

  I hope these tips help you.  Homemade bread is so much 

better for you than store bought.  You can control the ingredients. And theres nothin like the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven!

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