making bread

[maddmattocks]

Recently I have dug out the bread maker machine (present last xmas) and have been experimenting with various basic bread making. I have also been making basic white bread from scratch.
I appreciate that I don't put the various additives that the big companies add but is there any tips to make a basic white loaf a bit lighter or, for lack of a better word to mind, fluffier?

[nohorn]

I have always thought that adding glutin (I'm not sure where you would get it). I get it from a mail order baking outfit. (King Arthurs flour, NE U. S.) You could google King Arthur's Flour.....anyway that's what I added to my bread machine recipe.
Nohorn

[annie0000]

I add a spoon of dried milk powder and it makes it a bit softer if that helps.

[DTCwordfan]

question how long you knead for.....longer than recommended is better to get the air in and the gluten to better bind into the carbohydrates.

[welshlibranr]

madd, I find that just using plain flour instead of Bread flour does make it lighter and fluffier, it doesn't keep well however, but I think that homemade bread never does anyway!......worth a try!.....

[237SJ]

I`ve never made the basic white bread recipe (that was in the little leaflet that came with the machine). I make the nut bread one and that comes out very nice because I use toasted sesame seeds instead of nuts. I wouldn`t call the end result fluffy but it is very light.

[nohorn]

237sj: What measurement of toasted sesame seeds do you add? I would like to try that.
Nohorn

[237SJ]

Hi nohorn. I know every machine is different and I have tried using my recipe in my Mum`s machine and it didn`t work. I think it might be something to do with the machine`s capacity. Anyway, my Morphy Richards machine makes 1.5 lb loafs and their chunky nut bread is as follows:- Tepid water - 1 cup, Olive oil (I use extra virgin) - 2 tbsp, Honey (or you can use golden granulated sugar) - 2 tbsp, Salt - 1 1/4 tsp,. This is where I deviate from the recipe. Instead of nuts I use toasted sesame seeds. You know the little cup that comes with the machine? Mine has a marking for 1/3 (or approx 85ml). Instead of nuts I use 1/3 of that cup in toasted sesame seeds or about 3/4 sesame and 1/4 linseed or pumpkin seeds. Then it`s 3 cups strong white bread flour and 1 1/4 tsp dry yeast. Use setting basic white (which takes 3 hours). You can use the reduced bake time but I think the long one is better. When I toast the sesame seeds I do them under the grill on foil and keep turning them so they don`t burn. There`s nothing worse than burnt sesame. Just lightly golden is enough.

[Old_Geezer]

Nothing worse than burnt sesame. What; even worse than unburnt sesame ? Wow that must be something.

[237SJ]

I want to laugh but I can`t quite see your point? :-)

[Old_Geezer]

It is just difficult to image something tasting worse that unburnt sesame, which is something I tried once, and had the sense never to try again.

[nohorn]

Thank you 2375J for the information, can't wait to try it. The bread here purchased is getting very expensive, the good whole grain type, about $5.00 a loaf (Alaska), so I am inclined to get my bread machine out.

[jomifl]

Use strong flour (above 12% protein, waitrose canadian plain white flour is very good), use more yeast, use half the salt, bake as soon as the top splits.