Ingredients

Yeast

Yeast is actually a microscopic plant. Simply stated, without yeast, your bread will not rise. When moistened by a liquid, fed by sugar and carefully warmed, yeast produces gases that power the dough to rise. If the temperature is too cold, the yeast will not be activated; if it’s too warm, it will die. Your SmartBake Custom takes care of this worry for you by maintaining just the right temperature in the baking chamber at all times.

Some yeasts may require the use of a bread improver. The Bread Improver will provide additional gluten to the flour to produce a better loaf.

Tip: We do not recommend the use of fresh or compressed yeast in your breadmaker. Sunbeam recommends the use of dry yeast only. Always ensure it is used well within the use-by date, as stale yeast will prevent the bread from rising. We suggest that a small pocket be made in the top of the dry mixture to hold the yeast. This will ensure its activation when in contact with the liquid and sugar during kneading.

Flour

In order for the bread to rise, the flour has to have a sufficiently high protein content. Sunbeam recommends the use of a good quality plain or bread flour. The texture and height of the bread will be inconsistent if the flour is stored for long periods of time in unsatisfactory conditions. Purchase bulk packs of flour only if baking constantly. Unlike white flour, wheat flour contains bran and wheatgerm which inhibit rising. Wheat breads therefore, tend to be heavier in texture and smaller in size. A lighter, larger loaf can be achieved by combining wheat flour with white flour for whole wheat bread recipes.

Bread Improver

The use of Bread Improver is recommended to achieve optimum results. Bread Improver will increase the gluten content of the flour mix. It will also influence the structure, size and texture of the bread, so that it does not collapse when baking. The suggested quantity to use is stated in all recipes. Bread Improver has a flour like texture and can be purchased through health food shops or through selected supermarkets.

Sugars

Sugars sweeten the bread, brown the crust, lend tenderness to the texture and supply the yeast with food. White or brown sugar, molasses, maple or golden syrup, honey and other sweeteners may be used in equivalent quantities. Artificial sweetener can be substituted in equivalent amounts, however the taste and texture of your bread will vary.

Liquids

When liquids are mixed with protein in flour, gluten is formed. Gluten is necessary for the bread to rise. Experiment with quantities

of these liquids to obtain optimum results. Liquids should be used at room temperature. A recipe with too much liquid may cause the bread to fall during baking while a recipe with too little liquid will not rise.

Salt

In small amounts, salt adds flavour and controls yeast action. Too much salt inhibits rising, so be sure to measure amounts correctly. Any ordinary table salt may be used.