I have fallen in love with my bread machine and I want you to do the same! I’m hoping that by sharing my 5 reasons you need a bread machine, you’ll find new reasons to love your bread maker, too!
Do you use a bread machine?
Do you have a bread machine or bread maker you received as a gift years ago and have just never used it much? I have to confess, that used to be me. I actually inherited a bread machine from my mother-in-law. It’s been sitting on the shelf in my pantry for months (maybe years). I finally dusted that machine off, took it out of the pantry and set it up on my kitchen counter. Then a strange thing happened, I actually started using my bread machine!
Why I started using a bread machine.
I started using it because my husband loves bread. I thought it would be a nice gesture to start some bread the night before and have it all nice and warm, and ready for him to eat the next morning. Waking up to the aroma of fresh-baked bread? Amazing! Eating warm fresh-baked bread in the morning? Deliciously amazing!
I’ve been using my bread machine consistently for a number of months now (several times a week, actually). I am pleased to report that I’ve learned a lot about my bread machine and the art of making bread the easy way. I’ve learned things like the role salt plays and especially the importance of getting the salt to yeast ratios just right. Did you know that if you don’t have enough salt in your bread recipe that you may have problems with the bread collapsing? Ask me how I know. Been there! Done that!
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Dust off your bread maker!
I thought maybe you would be interested in dusting off your bread machine and waking up to the wonderful aroma of fresh-baked bread, too! Maybe you just need a little encouragement? And, maybe, just maybe, if I started sharing some recipes and bread making tips with you that would be the little nudge or bit of encouragement you need to give your bread machine another try.
Are you with me? Are you ready to give your bread maker a try?
Do you want to have fresh, preservative free, homemade bread?
Did you know you can make so much more than bread in your bread machine?
Don’t have a bread maker? No problem! I’ll help you figure out what type of machine would work best for your needs and budget! Wondering what features are “must-haves” in a bread maker? I’ll cover that too! In fact, it’s not too late for you to add a bread maker to your Christmas wish list!
5 Reasons You Need a Bread Machine
If you need a little more convincing to dust off or purchase a bread machine, how about 5 reasons you need a bread machine?
1. Super easy to use. Bread machines are just about fail-proof. Put your ingredients in the machine, press a few buttons and a few hours later? Fresh bread!
2. Less mess and simple clean-up. Other than a few measuring utensils, all your mixing and baking is done in one pan.
3. Saves enormous time in the kitchen. No more kneading the dough, waiting for it to rise, kneading it again and then baking it. Simply put all your ingredients in the bread machine and let the machine do the work for you.
4. Eliminates preservatives. If you’re trying to eat healthier, a bread machine will have you baking whole wheat, multi-grain or even gluten-free and preservative free bread in no time!
5. Saves money. It costs a fraction to make homemade bread versus store-bought bread and if you’re talking about fresh bakery bread, the savings are even more!
6. Bonus: Tastes amazing!!!
Okay, I know that was 6 and I promised you 5 reasons why you need a bread machine, but I couldn’t possibly not mention the amazing taste of homemade bread!
To give you an idea of the versatility of a bread machine, I thought I’d share one of my favorite recipes with you today (and give you a 7th reason why you need a bread machine). This will be the first of many bread machine recipes that I plan to share with you here on The Birch Cottage blog. (Did you know bread machine recipes can easily be adapted for traditional handmade bread, too?)
English Muffin Bread Recipe for the Bread Machine
This English Muffin Bread Recipe takes a little more of your time if you take the time to roll the dough in cornmeal during step three. This step, however, is completely optional. If you like your English Muffin Bread to have a dusting of cornmeal, then you’ll want to follow this step. Otherwise, feel free to skip right over this extra step. I found this recipe on King Arthur Flour’s website.
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup water
- 1 cup lukewarm milk
- 2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 1/2 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- Cornmeal (optional)
- Place all of the ingredients into the bucket of your bread machine. Use the smaller amount of water in the summer, or during humid conditions; use the larger amount of water in winter, or if you’re in a dry climate.
- Program your machine for basic white bread, light crust. Midway through the second kneading cycle, check the dough; it should be soft, smooth and slightly sticky. Adjust the dough’s consistency with additional flour or water, if necessary.
- For a true English muffin effect, remove the dough after either the final kneading or before the final rise and roll it in cornmeal.
- Place the dough back in the machine to rise and bake.
- Remove the finished bread from the machine, and cool it on a rack.
- This recipe makes one 1-1/2 pound loaf of bread.
Wanna learn more?
Are you interested in learning more about bread machines? Would you like to see more bread machine recipes? I’d love to know if this is something you’re interested in as I truly want to provide valuable content for you!
Til next time…
Shari
Wednesday 4th of January 2017
HI, Pam! I find the bread maker such a time saver, but it seems too much time passes between uses and now I'm questioning if I need to replace it. My loaves are just not turning out like I remember from years ago when it was new. I'm also not thrilled with the recipes in the manual that came with it and would like to branch out into my traditional recipes, but I understand that ingredients may have to be adjusted to allow for the automatic cycles of the bread machine. Would you be able to cover these topics in upcoming Bread Maker blogs?
Thank you!
Pamela Baker
Tuesday 7th of November 2017
Shari, I’m not sure how, but I totally didn’t see your message until just this morning! Please accept my apology!
You ask a lot of tough questions! I’d be glad to address some of your questions. Have you baked anymore bread since posting your question? Just wondering how your bread machine is working for you?
I tell ya, I love the convenience of the bread machine. It’s just hard to beat. Sometimes, I miss the long, old-fashioned ways. I’ve tried a few recipes that I really had to tweak to get them to turn out right for the bread machine. My experience has been the size and density of the bread. Some quick breads need to be made in smaller batches.
Anyway, there are a lot of topics to cover. Let me know how you’re doing and where you are in your bread making. Again, I apologize for overlooking your message.
Pamela Baker
Tuesday 13th of December 2016
Carolyn, that is fantastic! People are so afraid of making bread, but I have found the more I use my bread machine, the more I learn about bread making in general and the more I love it! It really does save so much time! I'm glad your grandchildren enjoyed the "play" dough! I love the vanilla, too! I'm down to about three small bottles. Time to make some more! Thanks so much for letting me know about the English Muffin Bread! Truly wishing you and your family the happiest holidays!! Merry Christmas, Carolyn!
Carolyn
Tuesday 13th of December 2016
If I were tech savy I would place a pic of the bread. My grandbabies loved it! My granddaughter loved the fact we could 'play with it like play dough when I took it out to roll it in cornmeal (lol). And they are so very picky to boot. I love my Oster ExpressBake Bread machine and have made many loaves within this time saving little machine. For example, I whipped up a loaf of potato bread while making a batch of pizelles. MK, onto the gingerbread men. So busy during the holidays, Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays to ya and yours !!! Oh !! I almost forgot, I love the homemade vanilla you posted a few months back and the recipes I have used it in have MORE flavor. Now all I have to do is keep my daughter outta my pantry or she'll "borrow" some (LOL).
Carolyn
Friday 9th of December 2016
Am looking forward to trying this one, have tried many in my bread machine. Dusting off the bread machine to give this recipe a try (LOL), thank you for sharing !
Pamela Baker
Friday 9th of December 2016
Carolyn, that is fantastic!! Please let me know how it goes!