Did you know that the average American eats around 53 pounds of bread each year?
Although it doesn’t take many ingredients or steps to learn how to make bread, somehow the final results are always magical. There’s nothing better than biting into a fresh loaf that’s still a bit warm from the oven.
Are you on the hunt for a guide on breadmaking 101? Keep reading for 7 expert tips that will ensure every loaf turns out perfect.
1. Always Proof Your Yeast
One of the most important steps of breadmaking is to proof your yeast to check that it’s still alive. If your yeast is expired or your water was too hot, your bread won’t rise. You know your yeast is ready to go if the mixture is foaming after a few minutes.
2. A Digital Scale Gives You the Most Accurate Measurements
Most professional breadmakers use digital scales because they’re more accurate than measuring cups. This can prevent your dough from being too dry or wet.
3. You Can Also Use the Spooning Method
If you don’t want to fuss with a scale, then an easy way you can make your measurements more accurate is to spoon your dry ingredients into your measuring cups and level them with the back of a knife. This will help you avoid overstuffing your cups.
4. Invest in a Stand Mixer
If you’re going to make bread on a regular basis, then stand mixers are absolutely worth the investment. When you attach the dough hook, your stand mixer can do all of your kneading in 5 minutes, which will save you time and hard labor. You should opt to buy products that have real testing reviews so you can feel confident about your purchases.
5. Be Mindful of Weather Conditions
The environment can have a bigger impact on your bread than you might think. Whether you live somewhere dry, humid, cold, hot, or at a high altitude, these conditions can change your baking process. You should do a little extra research or your local area to see how your weather might influence your bread.
6. Follow Recipes Exactly
Learning how to make French bread is a lot different from baking challah. Whichever type of bread you’re craving, look for a high-rated recipe and follow it precisely since breadmaking is a delicate science.
7. Let Your Bread Cool at Least 10 Minutes
As tempting as it may be to bite into your loaf right after taking it out of the oven, you should wait. Not only will you burn your mouth, but you’ll also release the steam too soon, which could leave you with raw dough.
Breadmaking 101: Now You Know the Best Tips
Now that you’ve read this guide on breadmaking 101, you can get ready to bake delectable loaves from scratch. Whether you’re learning how to make pita bread or any other type of loaf, the final results are guaranteed to be just as good as your local bakery.
Do you want to learn other ways you can improve your culinary skills? Explore the rest of our blog so you can have access to the best cooking articles.
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