Bread Making Tips
Making bread with a mixer is quite different from making bread by hand. Therefore, it will take some practice before you are completely comfortable with the new process. For your convenience, we offer these tips to help you become accustomed to bread making the KitchenAid way.
•Start out with an easy recipe, like “Basic White Bread,” until you are familiar with using the dough hook.
•Always use the dough hook to mix and knead yeast doughs.
•Do not exceed Speed 2 when using the dough hook.
•Do not use recipes calling for more than 8 cups
•Do not use recipes calling for more than 10 cups
•Use a candy or other kitchen thermometer to assure that liquids are at temperature specified in the recipe. Liquids at higher temperature can kill yeast, while liquids at lower temperatures will retard yeast growth.
•Warm all ingredients to room temperature to insure proper rising of dough. If yeast is to be dissolved in bowl, always warm bowl first by rinsing with warm water to avoid cooling of liquids.
•Allow bread to rise in a warm place, 80°F to 85°F, free from draft, unless otherwise specified in recipe.
•Here are some alternative rising methods to use: (1) The bowl containing the dough can be placed on a wire rack over a pan of hot water. (2) The bowl can be placed on the top rack of an unheated oven; put a pan of hot water on the rack below. (3) Turn the oven to 400°F for 1 minute; then turn it off; place the bowl on the center rack of the oven and close the door.
Cover bowl with waxed paper, if desired. Always cover with towel to retain warmth in the bowl and to keep the dough from drafts.
•Recipe rising times may vary due to temperature and humidity in your kitchen. Dough has doubled in bulk when indentation remains after tips of fingers are pressed lightly and quickly into dough.
•Most bread recipes give a range for the amount of flour to be used. Enough flour has been added when the dough clings to the hook and cleans sides of bowl. If dough is sticky or humidity is high, slowly add more flour, about 1⁄2 cup at a time but do not exceed recommended flour capacity. Knead after each addition until flour is completely worked into dough. If too much flour is added, a dry loaf will result.
•Some types of dough, especially those made with whole grain flours, may not form a ball on the hook. However, as long as the hook comes in contact with the dough, kneading will be accomplished.
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