My bread this afternoon

Turned out perfect!!! It's the first loaf I have made that has been a success. I used the breadmaker's recipe for Sandwich Loaf, used the dough setting to do the dough. Took it out and let it rise again for 20ish mins, then baked in the oven at 200.

Only thing is, I went to slice it now (it came out of the oven a few hrs ago), but I had to throw out the centre as it wasn't cooked through :( The top was beginning to burn...

Should I use a lower temp for longer time? Higher temp for short time?

 

If the top was burning and the centre was raw I would say you need a lower temperature for a longer time.
To check if bread is ready - take it from the oven and tap the bottom of the loaf. If it sounds hollow it's ready, if it's dull it's not.
And Christmas is coming - Panasonic on the list.:thumb:

 

We've a bread maker, it was purchased when there was a possibility of a "bread strike." How long ago was that?

It's never been out of the box.

Digressing a bit, I can remember when all the big food stores closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday and no stores were open on Sundays.

It used to be "panic stations " on the Thursday in my stores, as customers bought three or four loaves each. Bread sales that week went through the roof, yet half of it would have ended up in the bin on the following Tuesday.

 

As Alice says adjust the temperature first then as a last resort adjust the amount of liquid if need be. Once you've got it spot on you should get it perfect every time :D

 

Thanks Alice, I will try that. I did think that might be the case (lower for longer). I'll be baking again tmor! I would LOVE a panasonic, but I doubt I'll get one in the near future!!

 

I still prefer to make my bread the 'old fashioned' way. I've looked at bread making machines but they're all so huge that I can only assume everyone else's kitchen worktop must be 5 times the size of mine - where do you put them?

 

In a top cupboard in our kitchen, hidden away so she thinks I've forgotten about it.
Looking for something once, I thought I'd found a "deep fat fryer."
I thought; "Why have we still got that when we've got a "Tefal Wifeyfry?" as she calls it, (one blew up on her and the replacement...... is in another cupboard...unused).

Then I remembered, it's the breadmaker!

 

Have to agree with all the suggestions so far Snowbaby
Try 180.. 30-40mins.. but then that depends on your oven.

 

I use my bread machine but have to limit the bread making because the weight starts to creep up again. I can't resist the fresh bread with lashing of butter. :-)

 

Snowbaby, glad your getting it right. Can you post your recipie, the one I am using is OK but not quite right yet.

Thanks

 

Thanks everyone, I made another loaf today, did it at 180 for 30-35 mins and it was PERFECT!!!! I'm so so pleased!! Even my hubby and baby girl love it!

As for where the breadmaker goes? My kitchen is tiny!! It's stored in a bottom cupboard and sits on 1 of my 2 worktops when being used.

Jan... for a 2lb loaf:

1 & 1/3 cup water
2 tbsp soft marg or butter
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp skimmed milk powder
3 & 1/2 tbsp sugar
4 cup strong bread flour (sieved)
1 tsp fast action yeast (dry packet stuff)

I did this on the dough cycle, took it out and put it in the bread tin, let it rise for a further 30 mins then baked at 180C for 30ish mins.

Are all breadmaker cups the same size? If not, I can check the measurements on mine and update this!

 

I don't know if all breadmaker cups are the same size, mine didn't come with one :lollol:I just use a measuring jug with has cups marked on it.

thanks very much for your recipie, I will try it tomorrow and let you know how I get on.:gnthb:

 

1 cup = 230ml
1/3 cup = 70ml

hopefully this will help you! please do let us know how it turns out! I am not sure we will be buying a loaf of bread for a long time. I had to buy our "uaul" bread at our local shop at the weekend... £1.45 per loaf - I about fainted!!!! I normally just pick up bread/milk and pay for it, never checking the prices!

 

Congratulations Snowbaby on that perfect loaf.
Are you as daft as me - did you take its piccy :D

Hi Fidgetsmum. I know what you mean about breadmakers being quite big.
I'm lucky enough to have a little utility area just off the kitchen. It's not big but so useful. My breadmaker and microwave sit on a worksurface in there.

 

I was going to get a pic, but didn't manage to - the joys of having a toddler lol!