Bread machine not making a full loaf?!
Help, please! I was given a bread machine with no instructions!. I filled it with water and it holds 10-11 cups of water comfortably so I am assuming it is a 1 1/2 lb loaf capacity!. I have been following recipes for 1 1/2 lb loaves (this is my second one) and have noticed that the loaf pan is only half full when done!. I thought the bread machine loaf was supposed to be the size of the pan when baked!. Why are my loaves only about 2/3 of the size that they say they should be!? Is my dough not rising enough!? If not, any suggestions!? Should I be following a 2 lb loaf recipe instead!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
It could be a 2 lb loaf pan!. It is also possible that by not having the instructions, you don't know about a couple of the important details!.
#1 - All ingredients should be room temperature!. Using the breadmaker does not allow for watching to see if it has risen enough!. Warm water is fine, not hot!. (Unless you have an Expressbake button, but you can ask for more info if you do)
#2 - Always add ingredients in this order - wet, dry, then yeast!.
#3 - When you add the yeast last, make a little well in the dry ingredients!. Don't let it come in contact with the wet stuff!. Seems odd since it will be mixed in a few seconds anyway, but that is very clearly pointed out in my books!.
#4 - If there is any doubt about the freshness of the yeast, consider buying a new package!. I keep mine in the freezer and let it sit out for a few minutes to come to room temp!.
#5 - Are you adding the salt!? Not adding the salt will affect the texture and the rise!.
If you have ruled out the above suggestions, try out the larger loaf recipe!. Here is a basic recipe that doesn't need milk powder!. And since it uses egg, it might rise a little nicer, even if the yeast is not as fresh!.
1 1/4 cups water
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg
1 1/2 Tbsp butter or margarine
4 cups all purpose or bread machine flour
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp Quick-rise yeast
Just add it all in order, with the yeast last!.
You should also be able to find an online instruction manual by going to the manufacturer website!. Maybe even recipes tailored to your specific machine!. If you can't find it, you can always post the brand and model on here :)Www@FoodAQ@Com
#1 - All ingredients should be room temperature!. Using the breadmaker does not allow for watching to see if it has risen enough!. Warm water is fine, not hot!. (Unless you have an Expressbake button, but you can ask for more info if you do)
#2 - Always add ingredients in this order - wet, dry, then yeast!.
#3 - When you add the yeast last, make a little well in the dry ingredients!. Don't let it come in contact with the wet stuff!. Seems odd since it will be mixed in a few seconds anyway, but that is very clearly pointed out in my books!.
#4 - If there is any doubt about the freshness of the yeast, consider buying a new package!. I keep mine in the freezer and let it sit out for a few minutes to come to room temp!.
#5 - Are you adding the salt!? Not adding the salt will affect the texture and the rise!.
If you have ruled out the above suggestions, try out the larger loaf recipe!. Here is a basic recipe that doesn't need milk powder!. And since it uses egg, it might rise a little nicer, even if the yeast is not as fresh!.
1 1/4 cups water
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg
1 1/2 Tbsp butter or margarine
4 cups all purpose or bread machine flour
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp Quick-rise yeast
Just add it all in order, with the yeast last!.
You should also be able to find an online instruction manual by going to the manufacturer website!. Maybe even recipes tailored to your specific machine!. If you can't find it, you can always post the brand and model on here :)Www@FoodAQ@Com