Is there really anything better than the smell of fresh bread? Ok I could probably name quite a few but it's very high on the list. I was craving that smell (and the resulting bread) but didn't have much time for prep work so to the trusty Breville break maker I went. I say 'trusty' because this baby has been going for about 12 years. That's a very long time in appliance years. Sure, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of today's models (and the bread comes out with a little hole in its bottom) but it still makes a good loaf of bread.
The first time we ever used it was very amusing. Mum set the timer so it would start baking while we were all asleep and we would wake up to lovely fresh bread. What we didn't know is the noise it makes when the kneading starts. Everyone jumped out of bed at about 4am to find out which part of the house was falling down!
On to the bread. I found this recipe on a Yahoo question and answer page and substituted 2 cups of the plain flour for a multigrain bread mix I had in the pantry.
The recipe uses two tablespoons of sugar. I think it might be American as they seem to like their bread sweet. It was a little bit sweet for me (but still delicious) so next time I think I'll just use 1 tablespoon and add some extra salt.
The first step is to place the yeast, sugar and water in the bottom of the bread pan and leave for about 10 minutes or until the yeast froths.
Note the frothy yeast/water/sugar mixture.
Then you simply add the rest of the ingredients - flour, salt and I added some bread improver (you can get this near the flour at the supermarket).
Put the pan back in your machine and set to basic bread.
Mine took 3h 15mins for a dark crust and was ready just in time for morning tea. Mmm hot fresh bread and butter. The bread had a lovely crust and was perfectly soft on the inside. I think it was almost as good as bakery bread. Delicious!
The bread I'd really like to master is ciabatta. What's your favourite bread?
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water 110 degrees F/45 degrees C
- 2 tablespoons white sugar I would only use 1 next time
- 1 .25 oz package bread machine yeast (I used 1 tbsp)
- ¼ cup vegetable oil I used olive oil
- 3 cups bread flour I used 2 cups multigrain, 1 cup white
- 1 teaspoon salt I would add a bit more next time
- I also used 1 teaspoon of bread improver
Instructions
- Place the water, sugar and yeast in the pan of the bread machine.
- Let the yeast dissolve and foam for 10 minutes.
- Add the oil, flour and salt to the yeast.
- Select Basic or White Bread setting, and press start.
molly kelly says
I still remember the noise! Didn't know it was still going ...well done you Bub!!
Claire says
Oh yes it's just as good as all the fancy new ones on the market.
Celia says
Sigh...I killed our breadmaker - I poured all the liquid ingredients in without remembering to put the tin in first - so all over the element. It did make the most lovely bread though! :)
Claire says
Oh dear that's no good. Maybe it's one for the Christmas wish list? Although you seem to do very well making bread without one!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
That would be so wonderful to wake up to fresh bread like that! :D Cute story about the 4am bread wakeup call! :P