To those of you who are curious about bread machines or already have a machine but rarely use it, this post is for you.

Everybody knows that I love to bake homemade bread from scratch. Using a bread machine it couldn’t be easier and it makes some fantastic bread! A bread machine combines convenience with flexibility. If you enjoy a fresh loaf of bread, but don’t have the time or space to bake from scratch, a bread machine is for you.

If you’ve tried to use a bread machine without success, consider that bread-making is a skill which usually improves with practice. Expect some failures in the beginning. However, I predict fewer fails with a bread machine than mixing by hand. Just don’t give up. Keep trying if you are just starting your home bread making adventures.

Or if you have never baked homemade bread before, and find the instructions a wee bit intimidating, I encourage you to try it. It may seem intimidating at first and the various steps do take a bit of time to learn, but overall, it is truly easy. 

The simplest way to learn how to bake bread is to follow a basic recipe. Try Fast2eat Bread Recipes, they are kind of foolproof 😉 really easy and the loaves of bread are delicious. If you already have a bread machine collecting dust, get it out and try Fast2eat Foolproof Bread Recipes.

If you’ve been using your bread machine to bake bread you’ve no doubt discovered the range and breadth of great loaves of bread you can make. The aroma that this bread creates as it bakes is absolutely heavenly.

Bread machines enable people to enjoy the pleasure of freshly baked bread with less effort. The aroma and taste of fresh-baked bread is hard to match. Traditional homemade bread requires hours of preparation and hands-on attention from start to finish. A bread machine mixes, kneads, and bakes the dough. It is like a miniature oven that makes a single loaf of bread.

This guide will help you make great bread.

Using a Bread Maker Tips and Hints

While bread machines offer freshly baked bread at the push of a button there are special hints to ensuring quality bread almost every time.

Read more

Basic Ingredients

Like the instruments in an orchestra, the ingredients in basic bread are very simple: flour, sugar, salt, a liquid (such as water or milk), possibly a fat (such as butter or oil) and yeast. And, like each musical instrument, each ingredient performs a specific job, and each lends a special flavor to the final masterpiece. That’s why it’s important to use the right ingredients in exactly the right proportions to ensure you get the most delicious results!

Read more

Basic steps of Bread maker Functions

It is easy to create special recipes without a lot of time and effort. Just refer to the relative recipe and follow this basic process.

Read more

Bread Maker Cycles Settings

Your bread maker can bake almost any kind of bread. Bread machines are really helpful and great appliances. However, sometimes all the cycles can be confusing and it’s difficult to know which one to use for a particular recipe.

Fast2eat Bread Recipes clearly show you which setting you should use.

This post will help you select the correct cycle if you are not following a Fast2eat Bread Recipe and your recipe doesn’t specify which one to use. It will also help understanding the most common bread machine cycles and settings which are explained here for quick reference.

Read more

Troubleshooting Bread Making Difficulty

This isn’t about making baking scary! It’s all part of the learning process. Although Fast2eat Bread Recipes  are kind of foolproof 😉 difficulties may happen, therefore, let’s talk about common Bread Machine difficulties with possible solutions.

Read more

Finishing the Crust – glazes, washes, and toppings

Finishing the crust, the special touch for Homemade Bread, that leaves it so yummy with a beautiful appearance!

Although glazes and toppings are often optional ingredients, that I usually omit, from sheer lack of time, they do add a boost of flavor and enhance the appearance of the bread. They add flavour, affect the look, taste, and crunch of the crust, provide an attractive finish on the bread, and add moisture.

Read more

Taking Care of Your Bread Maker

Are you making sure your bread machine is functioning at its best?

Routine maintenance is actually fairly simple and should be done frequently. Maybe that’s why we’re sometimes tempted to neglect it. In fact, routine cleaning of the machine should occur after each new loaf is baked.

Here are some basic steps to routinely do to keep your bread machine baking at its best.

Read more

Bread Maker Important Safeguards

It’s maybe boring but it’s also important to take some safety precautions.

Read more

Dough Instructions

Bread machines are ultra-convenient, but those towering loaves that are the hallmark of the bread machine can sometimes be unwelcome. Some people don’t like it because of the shape when baked in a bread machine, or the holes in the bottom where the blades were, or they want dinner rolls or some kind of specialty shape so actually baking in a bread machine is not a choice.

Read more

Just so you know, I don’t work for any bread machine companies or receive any perks for talking about them.

* (“Long-term dietary intake of gluten was not associated with risk of coronary heart disease. However, the avoidance of gluten may result in reduced consumption of beneficial whole grains, which may affect cardiovascular risk. The promotion of gluten-free diets among people without celiac disease should not be encouraged.” Source: http://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j1892)

* Content and images based on Sunbeam and Oster CKSBBR9050-033 Bread Maker User Manual Retrieved from http://pdfstream.manualsonline.com/4/4d6633cb-086c-4456-b7d7-5abde3447520.pdf

Also check:

Fast2eat Foolproof (Bread maker) Bread Recipes

Hungry for more? A new post and/or recipe every Friday!

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All text and photographs on Fast2eat are copyright protected. You are welcome to share my recipes and photos through social media as long as you prominently link back to the original post. You do not need to ask my permission to link to content published here but you DO need my permission to publish my recipes and photos. Please do not use any material from this site without obtaining prior permission. If you’d like to post this recipe on your site, please link back to this post. And remember, when you adapt my recipe please acknowledge the source with “adapted from…” designating the source with the link of my recipe.

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This article is part of “Everything You Need to Know to Start Baking Awesome Bread Using a Bread Maker“.

Everybody knows that I love to bake homemade bread from scratch. Using a bread machine it couldn’t be easier and it makes some fantastic bread! A bread machine combines convenience with flexibility. If you enjoy a fresh loaf of bread, but don’t have the time or space to bake from scratch, a bread machine is for you.

If you have never baked homemade bread before, and find the instructions a wee bit intimidating, I encourage you to try it. It may seem intimidating at first and the various steps do take a bit of time to learn, but overall, it is truly easy.

The simplest way to learn how to bake bread is to follow a basic recipe. Try Fast2eat Bread Recipes (much more to be published – keep checking), they are kind of foolproof 😉 really easy and the bread delicious.

Bread Maker Cycles Settings

The bread machine cycles offer you the flexibility to optimize your bread characteristics. Each cycle has a specific time and temperature to maximize dough performance.

Your bread maker can bake almost any kind of bread. Bread machines are really helpful and great appliances. However, sometimes all the cycles can be confusing and it’s difficult to know which one to use for a particular recipe.

Fast2eat Bread Recipes clearly show you which setting you should use.

This post will help you select the correct cycle if you are not following a Fast2eat Bread Recipe and your recipe doesn’t specify which one to use. It will also help to understand the most common bread machine cycles and settings which are explained here for quick reference.

Note: For your specific machine cycles, refer to your owner’s manual.

Basic | Sweet | Whole Wheat | French | Gluten-Free | Quick/Rapid | ExpressBake/58 minutes | Jam | Dough | Bagel Dough | Pasta Dough | Cake | Bake

Basic

Use for white, rye, potato, egg, garlic and similar bread.

The “Basic” setting can be used for almost any bread recipe containing mostly bread flour. This setting is probably used more than any other because it gives you the best results with just about any recipe. It is ideal for basic bread without much fuss.

This setting is great for most savoury yeast bread. Do NOT use this cycle for sweet yeast bread, as you can accidentally overproof your loaf.

Basic Bread Machine Stages

It’s fun to watch your bread being made through the viewing window.

For the basic cycle, you can expect the following things to happen as the timer counts down to zero.

For Basic 2 lb. loaves

Time: 3:25 hours

To begin: The ingredients are kneaded for the first time (5 minutes)
At 3:20, the dough rests for 5 minutes
At 3:15, the dough is kneaded for the second time (20 minutes)
At 2:55, the dough begins to rise (39 minutes)
At 2:16, the dough is “punched down” (10 seconds)
At 2:16, the dough continues to rise (25 minutes and 50 seconds)
At 1:50, the dough is shaped (15 seconds)
At 1:50, the dough comes to the last period of rising (48 minutes and 45 seconds)
At 0:60, the dough begins to bake (60 minutes)
At 0:00, the bread is finished.

For Basic 1 ½ lb. loaves

Time: 3:18 hours

To begin: The ingredients are kneaded for the first time (5 minutes)
At 3:13, the dough rests for 5 minutes
At 3:08, the dough is kneaded for the second time (20 minutes)
At 2:48, the dough begins to rise (39 minutes)
At 2:09, the dough is “punched down” (10 seconds)
At 2:09, the dough continues to rise (25 minutes and 50 seconds)
At 1:43, the dough is shaped (15 seconds)
At 1:43, the dough comes to the last period of rising (48 minutes and 45 seconds)
At 0:53, the dough begins to bake (53 minutes)
At 0:00, the bread is finished.

Note: Rapid Setting will reduce total time by about an hour.

Basic Bread Recipes

(much more to be published – keep checking)

Mashed Yuca Bread Fast2eat Recipe

Yuca bread is made from the Yuca purée (or mash). A yuca mash is mixed into the dough, giving it a silky texture. This results in very soft, light and smooth tasting bread. Although the yuca root is starchy and sticky, the bread isn’t. It’s fluffy on the outside and light on the inside.

Check out this recipe

Mashed Potato Bread Fast2eat Recipe

It has the most wonderful crust, and the light but firm structure, potatoes tend to make bread rise a little fluffier and softer…. with a firm crust and lots of little air pockets.

Check out this recipe

Corn Bread with Coconut Milk Fast2eat

It is sooo good. It is crunchy on the outside but moister on the inside. It isn’t too sweet. 

Check out this recipe

Potato Bread (with instant potato flakes and dry milk) Fast2eat

If you’ve ever tried potato bread, you know that the addition of mashed potatoes makes for some nice, soft bread because potatoes tend to make bread rise a little fluffier and softer.

Check out this recipe

Milk and Cream Bread Fast2eat

This bread is so tasty and delicious, due to the cream in the dough, it’s crusty on the outside, and super soft on the inside.

Check out this recipe

Rye Bread Fast2eat

Homemade rye bread can be quite a challenge, so just remember that you’re never going to get a fluffy, airy result using just rye.

Check out this recipe

Country White Bread Fast2eat

This is a classic rich white bread recipe with milk and egg! The loaf bakes up incredibly soft, tender and fluffy… Absolutely delicious, the perfect white bread!

Check out this recipe

Egg Bread Fast2eat

It’s soft, tender, absolutely delicious.

Check out this recipe

Honey Oat Bread Fast2eat

This easy and delicious amazing homemade Honey Oatmeal Bread made with quick or old-fashioned oats and a touch of honey is soft and fluffy.

Check out this recipe

Cheddar Chive Bread Fast2eat

Delicious is the right word for this Cheddar Chive Bread! Very cheddary, with a slight oniony flavour.

Check out this recipe

Old Fashioned White Bread Fast2eat

Bread made like Grandma used to make and now you can do it too. Just an old-fashioned recipe, with basic ingredients.

Check out this recipe

Oatmeal Bread Fast2eat

This easy and delicious homemade Oatmeal Bread is made with quick oats, oat bran and a touch of honey.

Check out this recipe

Honeyed Walnut (Bread maker) Bread Fast2eat

The honey added sweetness and the walnuts and walnut (or olive) oil added a deep, rich flavor to this tasty bread-maker bread.

Check out this recipe

Sweet

The “sweet” setting is for baking bread with high amounts of sugar, fats, proteins, or recipes that call for eggs or cheese, as well as for preparing bread with raisins, cinnamon, apricots, and similar ingredients; all of which tend to increase browning.The baking temperature is lower to prevent a burned or dark crust, which can be caused by these ingredients.

Don’t get it confused with the quick bread cycle, however. Quick bread cooks at a different pace and requires no rise time.

Sweet Bread Machine Stages

For the sweet bread cycle you can expect the following things to happen as the timer counts down to zero:

For sweet 2 lbs.

Time: 3:27 hours

For sweet 1.5 lb. loaves

Time: 3:22 hours

To begin: The ingredients are kneaded for the first time (5 minutes)
At 3:17, the dough rests for 5 minutes
At 3:12, the dough is kneaded for the second time (20 minutes)
At 2:52, the dough begins to rise (39 minutes)
At 2:13, the dough is “punched down” (10 seconds)
At 2:13, the dough continues to rise (25 minutes and 50 seconds)
At 1:47, the dough is shaped (5 seconds)
At 1:47, the dough comes to the last period of rising (51 minutes and 55 seconds)
At 0:55, the dough begins to bake (55 minutes)
At 0:00, the bread is finished.

Note: With the Sweet Bread Program, crust colour can’t be changed.

Sweet Bread Recipes

(much more to be published – keep checking)

Special Molasses Bread Fast2eat

This brown bread recipe using bread flour, whole wheat flour, and cornmeal is simply amazing!

Check out this recipe

Cottage Cheese and Chive Bread Fast2eat

Very light, it toasts beautifully, with a nice flavor and texture!

Check out this recipe

Old Fashioned Oatmeal & Molasses Bread Fast2eat

Old fashioned Oatmeal molasses bread is easy to make, a rich and tender loaf that is perfect for toast or sandwiches, and great with cream cheese.

Check out this recipe

Raisin Walnut Bread Fast2eat

This easy to make Raisin Walnut Bread is so delicious, with a crispy crust jewelled with raisins and toasty crunchy chunks of walnuts to boost.

Check out this recipe

Springtime Favourite Bread Fast2eat

This quick and easy to make Raisin Orange Bread is so delicious, fresh grated orange
peel joins classic raisins to flavour bread.

Check out this recipe

Whole Wheat

It’s for bread that contains more than 50% whole wheat flour, cracked wheat, buttermilk wheat and like bread. Typically, the “Whole Wheat” setting offers a bit longer rise time.

The rise time is generally longer in this cycle to make a quality bread so that the gluten can get to work.

I also add wheat gluten to whole wheat loaves, which may allow you to use the basic setting, but for best results, I stick with the whole wheat setting.

Whole Wheat Bread Machine Stages

For the Whole Wheat bread cycle, you can expect the following things to happen as the timer counts down to zero.

For Whole Wheat 2 lbs.

Time: 3:48 hours

For Whole Wheat 1.5 lb. loaves

Time: 3:45 hours

To begin: The ingredients rest for a while (25 minutes)
At 3:20, the ingredients are kneaded for the first time (5 minutes)
At 3:15, the dough rests for 5 minutes
At 3:10, the dough is kneaded for the second time (15 minutes)
At 2:55, the dough begins to rise (49 minutes)
At 2:05, the dough is “punched down” (10 seconds)
At 2:05, the dough continues to rise (25 minutes and 50 seconds)
At 1:40, the dough is shaped (10 seconds)
At 1:40, the dough comes to the last period of rising (49 minutes and 50 seconds)
At 0:50, the dough begins to bake (50 minutes)
At 0:00, the bread is finished.

Note: Rapid Setting will reduce total time by about an hour.

Whole Wheat Bread Recipes

(much more to be published – keep checking)

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Honey Bread Fast2eat Recipe

If you’re looking for a simple homemade bread with wholesome ingredients, this Whole Wheat Oatmeal Honey Bread is it. It uses a combination of whole wheat, oats and white flour, and it’s sweetened with honey. 

Check out this recipe

100% Whole Wheat Bread (Bread-maker) Fast2eat Recipe

This is the very best Homemade Whole Wheat Bread. I’ve been making this bread since I bought my bread maker in 2000 and everybody loves it.

Check out this recipe

50% Whole Wheat Bread Fast2eat

For those who like a lighter texture of whole wheat bread. Contains equal amounts of bread flour and whole wheat flour.

Check out this recipe

Wheat ‘N Yogurt Bread Fast2eat

This is a go-to recipe for a bread maker. The recipe came in the booklet along with my machine.

Check out this recipe

To be published on December 6, 2019 (Contact me if you need it before)

50% Whole Wheat Bread with Molasses Fast2eat

It’s mildly sweet, soft and delicious, with hints of molasses. Sooo yummy!

Check out this recipe

To be published on February 28, 2020 (Contact me if you need it before)

Honey Oatmeal (Bread maker) Bread Fast2eat

Soft, light, healthy and delicious. It uses a combination of whole wheat, oatmeal, white flour, powdered milk and sweetened with honey. 

Check out this recipe

French

Use this setting for making French bread. French bread takes longer to knead, rise and bake, providing a heartier crust.

The French setting on your bread maker isn’t just for French bread! Many types of bread that are baked in the European style, specifically those from Western Europe, will do better using this setting. The timing is a bit longer on most machines than a basic loaf, and temperature settings may vary slightly. These modifications help your bread to obtain the texture and crust that are characteristic of French and Italian bread, among others.

French Bread Machine Stages

For the French cycle, you can expect the following things to happen as the timer counts down to zero.

For 1.5 lb. loaves

Time: 3:35 hours

To begin: The ingredients are kneaded for the first time (5 minutes)
At 3:30, the dough rests for 5 minutes
At 3:25, the dough is kneaded for the second time (20 minutes)
At 3:05, the dough begins to rise (39 minutes)
At 2:26, the dough is “punched down” (10 seconds)
At 2:26, the dough continues to rise (30 minutes and 50 seconds)
At 1:55, the dough is shaped (10 seconds)
At 1:55, the dough comes to the last period of rising (59 minutes and 50 seconds)
At 0:55, the dough begins to bake (55 minutes)
At 0:00, the bread is finished.

Note: Rapid Setting will reduce total time by about an hour.

French Bread Recipes

(much more to be published – keep checking)

Classic French Bread Fast2eat Recipe

This is an easy, crusty, Classic French Bread recipe for your bread machine. I have been making this bread for almost 20 years and it’s part of my best recipes collection.

Check out this recipe

Italian Herb Bread Fast2eat Recipe

I have been making this bread for almost 20 years and it’s part of my best recipes collection. Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning add a little “hum” to Italian bread. Serve it hot with your favourite Italian dish, cut into slices or toasted, with butter, dips and/or cheese.

Check out this recipe

Italian Herbs & Parmesan Bread Fast2eat

This wonderful, aromatic herb and Parmesan Bread is perfect: taste, appearance, texture, all very good.

Check out this recipe

To be published on February 7, 2020 (Contact me if you need it before)

Honey French Bredmaker Bread Fast2eat

This French bread with a touch of honey is a terrific bread that has a light, crispy crunch, and a slightly sweet flavour! Easy and very tasty. Sure to become a family favourite.

Check out this recipe

To be published on May 15, 2020 (Contact me if you need it before)

Classic Italian (Breadmaker) Bread Fast2eat

This classic Italian bread recipe is soft and tender on the inside, with a chewy crust on the outside. It is an easy homemade bread recipe made with flour, water, yeast, salt, sugar, and oil.

Check out this recipe

Gluten-Free

Use this setting for baking gluten-free bread. It is necessary to make sure that all ingredients being used are marked as gluten-free. Note that wheat-free does not always mean Gluten-free, you must read all labels carefully.

Individuals with special diets may require gluten-free baked goods. Bread makers often include a special cycle for gluten-free bread to help these individuals enjoy the experience of baking fresh bread. Gluten-free bread ingredients can vary greatly based on the recipe, but using room temperature ingredients is advisable, as is using flours like almond, millet, or sorghum. Starch flours like potato and rice don’t produce spectacular gluten-free bread, although they can make a good addition to either gluten-free or wheat flour bread recipes. These bread still require rise time, as you will be able to see while your machine is working.

Gluten-Free bread machine stages

For the Gluten-Free cycle, you can expect the following things to happen as the timer counts down to zero.

Time: 2:10 hours

To begin: The ingredients are kneaded for the first time (5 minutes)
At 2:05, the dough is kneaded for the second time (10 minutes)
At 1:55, the dough rises (60 minutes)
At 0:55, the dough begins to bake (60 minutes)
At 0:00, the bread is finished.

Gluten-Free Bread Recipes

(much more to be published – keep checking)

Gluten-Free Bread with Potato Flakes Fast2eat

Potato flakes brings a rich taste and texture that is often missing from most gluten-free breads. This bread is soft and has a wonderful flavour that is so close to regular bread.

Check out this recipe

To be published on December 27, 2019 (Contact me if you need it before)

Gluten-free Bread Maker Cheese Loaf Fast2eat

This super easy and Fast recipe is fail proof and absolutely mouthwatering. It looks
like a giant Brazilian Pão de Queijo (literally translated to ‘cheese bread’).

Check out this recipe

Quick/Rapid

Use this setting for baking 2 lbs. bread quickly – time is slightly longer than Express Bake but the texture will be finer.

The loaves baked with this setting are a little taller and airier than the 58-minute bread.

Sometimes labelled “Quick” cycle, and other time “Rapid”, this cycle is for bread in a hurry. This cycle varies from machine to machine, but in general, implies the shortening of rising times.

In some machines, rapid rise yeast may be requested for this cycle. You might need to find a copy of the manual for your machine in order to use this cycle correctly.

Those of you who love banana nut bread and similar treats, this is the cycle you will probably get the most use out of. It is designed for use with quick bread recipes, Quick bread, as a rule, can be baked immediately; they require no rise time. You might be able to use this cycle for cakes, as well, depending on your machine.

Quick/Rapid Bread Machine Stages

Time: 1:20 hour

For the 80 minutes Quick/Rapid cycle you can expect the following things to happen as the timer counts down to zero:

At 1:20: The dough is kneaded. (20 minutes)
At 1:00: The dough begins to rise. (18 minutes)
At 0:42: The bread begins to bake. (42 minutes)
At 0:00: The bread is finished.

Quick/Rapid Bread Recipes

(much more to be published – keep checking)

Pesto Bread Fast2eat

This pesto bread is slightly sweet, crunchy, perfectly textured, tasty, very flavourful, and easy to make which smells delicious. My house smelled wonderful as it was baking!

Check out this recipe

Walnut Bread Fast2eat Recipe

This delicious, slightly sweet homemade walnut bread will quickly become a family favourite.

Check out this recipe

Onion Herb Bread Fast2eat

This bread is easy and flavourful and bakes with a wonderful aroma.

Check out this recipe

to be published on January 17, 2020 (Contact me if you need it before)

Super Rapid Italian Herb Fast2eat

This bread is easy and flavourful and bakes with a wonderful aroma.

Check out this recipe

to be published on April 24, 2020 (Contact me if you need it before)

Garlic Herb Parmesan Quick Bread (Breadmaker) Fast2eat

This Parmesan Garlic Herb Quick Bread is tender, flavourful and delicious. It makes a great side dish to any meal or even just toasted for breakfast spread with cream cheese instead of butter. It smells soooo great while baking.

Check out this recipe

ExpressBake

Use this setting for baking loaves of bread in under one hour. These settings can bake bread in 58 minutes.

Loaves baked on the ExpressBake™ setting are a little different than loaves not baked on ExpressBake™ settings. The bread is a little denser in texture with this setting. Try all the different settings to see which one you prefer.

ExpressBake™ Setting Tips and Hints

There are a few things you should know about the ExpressBake™ settings that are different than the other settings.

• Loaves baked on ExpressBake™ settings tend to have a darker, thicker crust than other kinds of bread. Sometimes there will be a crack in the top of the crust. This is because baking is done at higher temperatures. They also tend to be shorter, denser loaves.
• You CANNOT use the Delay Timer for the ExpressBake™ settings. This would cool the liquid ingredients and affect the way that the bread rises.
• You CANNOT use the “Crust Color” buttons when baking bread on the ExpressBake™ settings.
• DO NOT open the cover while making bread on the ExpressBake™ settings.

• If the loaf is hard to remove from the pan, let it sit for about 5 minutes to cool. Shake the bread out of the pan and wait for 15 minutes before slicing.

• YOU CAN use standard bread mixes for ExpressBake™ setting bread, but the results may not be that good.

• Yeast – Always use a fast-rising/Quick Rise yeast. DO NOT use active dry yeast for ExpressBake™ settings because the loaves will be much shorter when baked.

• Liquids – Always use hot water in the range of 46°–52°C (115°–125°F). You must use a cooking thermometer to gauge the temperature; hotter water can kill the yeast while cooler water may not activate it.

• Salt – As a rule, you should use LESS salt for ExpressBake™ setting bread. Less salt provides you with a higher loaf.

• Other Ingredients – Make sure all other ingredients (like flour, sugar, dry milk, butter, etc.) are at room temperature.

Things You May Need to Buy

• You should only use “Bread Machine” flour for the ExpressBake™ setting recipes.

• You may need a cooking thermometer to measure the temperature of the water you use in these recipes. You should only use hot water – between 46°–52°C (115°–125°F) – for ExpressBake™ setting recipes.

Although baking ExpressBake™ setting bread is a little different, the results and convenience are well worth it.

ExpressBake™ Bread Machine Stages (58 minutes)

For the 58-minute ExpressBake™ cycle you can expect the following things to happen as the timer counts down to zero:

To begin: The ingredients are kneaded (15 minutes)
At 0:43, the dough begins to rise (8 minutes)
At 0:35, the dough begins to bake (35 minutes)
At 0:00, the bread is finished.

ExpressBake (58 minutes) Bread Recipes

(much more to be published – keep checking)

Express (58-minute) White Bread Fast2eat

A quick 58-minute white bread that is super yummy. Perfect for people who just do not have 3 1/2 hours to wait for their bread to cook. This is a great bread if you only have an hour to make something to take to that party you forgot about.

Check out this recipe

Olives & Garlic Express (58-minute) White Bread Fast2eat

Salty olives add a depth of flavour to this white bread recipe! It’s subtle and salty and delicious.

Check out this recipe

To be published on April 3, 2020 (Contact me if you need it before)

Cheese & Rye Express (58-minute-Bread-maker) Bread Fast2eat

A quick 58-minute Cheese & Rye bread that is delicious. Rye has many health benefits, and rye bread has a wonderful flavour – especially when it’s paired with cheese!

Check out this recipe

Jam

This setting is for making jams and marmalades.

The jam cycle is great for making homemade fruit spreads.

You need to be aware that the bread pan, handle, paddle, and the machine itself can be very, very hot when this cycle completes. Make sure to use potholders.

For best results when making jam in your bread machine, cut your fruit into cubes. DO NOT PUREE IN ADVANCE. Trust me on this one.

Jam cycle Bread Machine Stages

Time: 1:05 hour

For the Jam cycle, you can expect the following things to happen as the timer counts down to zero.

To begin: The ingredients are kneaded for the first time (15 minutes)
At 0:50, the dough begins to bake (50 minutes)
At 0:00, the Jam is finished.

Dough

Use for the preparation of dough with no baking. This setting lets you prepare dough for rolls, specialty bread, pizza, etc., which you shape by hand, allow to rise, then bake in a conventional oven.

The dough cycle is a great option for making bread dough when you want to shape the loaves yourself. It saves you quite a lot of work and mess since it does all the mixing and kneading for you.

It works very well with the timer, so you can set the dough to be ready when you have time to shape it into a loaf or rolls and bake it.

The dough cycle, depending on your machine, can also be used for creating cookie dough, pie crust, and numerous other type dough that you intend on baking in your oven, and not in the bread machine. In some machines, this may also work for pasta dough, although other machines include a separate cycle for pasta.

Dough Bread Machine Stages

Time: 1:30 hour

For the Dough cycle, you can expect the following things to happen as the timer counts down to zero.

To begin: The ingredients are kneaded for the first time (5 minutes)
At 1:25, the dough rests for 5 minutes
At 1:20, the dough is kneaded for the second time (20 minutes)
At 1:00, the dough begins to rise (60 minutes)
At 0:00, the dough is finished.

Dough Recipes

(much more to be published – keep checking)

Pizza Crust Fast2eat Recipe

Preparing a pizza can have different levels of difficulty and preparation time. In addition, of course, a wide variety of topping options. Mozzarella cheese is basic, in my opinion, all pizza should have it.  Makes 2 pizzas (pizzas de 35cm (14" or 12" thicker )

Check out this recipe

100% Whole Wheat Pizza Crust Fast2eat

There is nothing better than a homemade pizza. I love it, and I love how easy and versatile it is, especially using a Bread Maker to prepare the dough.

Check out this recipe

Bagel Dough:

To begin: The ingredients are kneaded for the first time (20 minutes)
At 1:40, the dough is kneaded for the second time (10 minutes)
At 1:30, the dough begins to rise (90 minutes)
At 0:00, the dough is finished.

See more: Dough Instructions (Preparing Dough for Baking & Variations for Shaping Dough).

Pasta Dough

This setting lets you prepare dough for pasta to make noodles, ravioli or other fresh pasta.

Time: 14 minutes

Cake

Use this setting for making cakes, nonyeast bread, quick bread mixes, or simple cake recipes, this cycle simply mixes and bakes. This option prepares the dough and bakes. Baking soda and/or baking Powder should be used as the leavening agent, not yeast.

Cake cycle, sometimes called Quick bread by some breadmakers brands do not use kneading, whereas yeast bread (with a few exceptions) require it. New bread machines often have a Rapid, Express, Quickbread cycle as well as a Cake cycle. Therefore, make sure you are using the correct cycle for your recipe!

Quite often, these recipes don’t call for “bread flour” but rather “cake flour” or a “cake mix“. Sometimes they will call for “All-Purpose flour“. Be careful that you read any recipe for cakes in a bread machine closely. If it says “cake flour” that’s exactly what you should use. If you substitute a cake mix for cake flour you may be doubling ingredients that are both in the recipe list and already incorporated into the cake mix. Stay true to the recipe and if you’d rather keep it simple and use a cake mix, just find a recipe that calls for that ingredient.

Many cake recipes indicate the addition of fruit, nuts or other ingredients like chocolate chips or coconut. Depending on the type of cake and the recipe, you may have to add these at a certain point in the cycle. If your machine has an automatic fruit and nut hopper this should take care of itself if you choose the cake or batter bread setting. If you don’t have a hopper there will often be an audible beep telling you to add these ingredients if you want to. The recipe should indicate the setting and any special handling related to fruits, nuts and other added ingredients.

Most cakes that come out of a bread machine will have the tall, vertical shape that’s common with most bread pans. You can always cut it in half; use a recipe for a 1 pound loaf which will be shorter, or slice it into layers and only build the cake as tall as you want it. This sliced layering will also give you the option of spreading a filling between layers.

Time: 1:30 hour (The baking time can vary considerably among models)

Cake Recipes

(much more to be published – keep checking)

Breadmaker Orange Cake Fast2eat

If you love oranges, wait until you taste this cake. It’s often served as a tea or coffee cake, dessert cake or breakfast cake.

Check out this recipe

Walnut Cake (Breadmaker) Fast2eat

This delicious, slightly sweet homemade walnut bread will quickly become a family favourite.

This cake is similar to our standard Walnut Bread, but with Baking Powder instead of yeast.

Yes, you can bake a cake in your bread machine.

Check out this recipe

To be published on March 20, 2020 (Contact me if you need it before)

Breadmaker Lemon Cake Fast2eat

This is lemon cake with lemon juice and lemon zest is simple and has a kick of citrus flavour that you'll definitely enjoy. Drizzle glaze made from lemon juice and zest on top to finish!

Check out this recipe

Bake

This setting, is for baking dough that you may have prepared without using the previous settings, it is essentially where you mix the ingredients by hand prior to putting them in the bread pan. You can then manually set the program for your desired length of time. 

Use this cycle to bake and/or brown bread or cakes, to bake the bread again if you think it has not been baked enough or in case of power outage.

Time: 1 hour

How do I know which crust colour to select?

Bread machine cycles can be picked to control crust colour and crispiness. If you prefer a soft and light crust, choose a light cycle. For the darker, crisper crust, choose a darker cycle. If your bread recipe has a lot of grains or sweeteners that can cause it to brown quickly, choose a light crust cycle.

Conclusion

Bread machine settings and cycles are easy enough to use, once you are acquainted with your machine. The most common bread machines cycles and settings explained above should help you get started, even if you don’t have your manual on hand. Happy Baking!

Note: Times are approximate based on setting and loaf size for my Bread machine (Sunbeam 2LB (900g) Bread Maker with Gluten-Free Setting). Once you press the “Start/Stop” button the display will show the remaining time until your bread is baked. When the display reads “0:00” the bread is baked.

Also check: Everything You Need to Know to Start Baking Awesome Bread Using a Bread Maker

* “Long-term dietary intake of gluten was not associated with risk of coronary heart disease. However, the avoidance of gluten may result in reduced consumption of beneficial whole grains, which may affect cardiovascular risk. The promotion of gluten-free diets among people without celiac disease should not be encouraged.” (Source: http://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j1892)

* Content and images based on Sunbeam and Oster CKSBBR9050-033 Bread Maker User Manual Retrieved from http://pdfstream.manualsonline.com/4/4d6633cb-086c-4456-b7d7-5abde3447520.pdf

Hungry for more? A new post and/or recipe every Friday!

Once you make my recipes, I would love to see your creations, so please let me know! Leave a comment below, take a photo and tag it on your preferred Social Media with hashtag #Fast2eat.

All text and photographs on Fast2eat are copyright protected. You are welcome to share my recipes and photos through social media as long as you prominently link back to the original post. You do not need to ask my permission to link to content published here but you DO need my permission to publish my recipes and photos. Please do not use any material from this site without obtaining prior permission. If you’d like to post this recipe on your site, please link back to this post. And remember, when you adapt my recipe please acknowledge the source with “adapted from…” designating the source with the link of my recipe.

Thanks for reading and sharing.

Got a question and/or feedback?
Please leave a public comment here. That way, other readers will be able to see the answers to your question and/or will benefit from your feedback.
Scroll down and you will find the comment form. Comments are checked on a near-daily basis Monday through Friday and answered as soon as possible.
Please don’t email me with recipe questions or feedback. I can’t keep up with them! I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.

Get in Touch!
Please contact me here or comment below!

This article is part of “Everything You Need to Know to Start Baking Awesome Bread Using a Bread Maker“.

Everybody knows that I love to bake homemade bread from scratch. Using a bread machine it couldn’t be easier and it makes some fantastic bread! A bread machine combines convenience with flexibility. If you enjoy a fresh loaf of bread, but don’t have the time or space to bake from scratch, a bread machine is for you.

If you have never baked homemade bread before, and find the instructions a wee bit intimidating, I encourage you to try it. It may seem intimidating at first and the various steps do take a bit of time to learn, but overall, it is truly easy.

The simplest way to learn how to bake bread is to follow a basic recipe. Try Fast2eat Bread Recipes (much more to be published – keep checking), they are kind of foolproof 😉 really easy and the bread delicious.

Basic steps of Breadmaker Functions

A bread machine combines convenience with flexibility. If you enjoy a fresh loaf of bread, but don’t have the time or space to bake from scratch, a bread machine is for you.

It is easy to create special recipes without a lot of time and effort. Just refer to the relative recipe and follow this basic process.

Bread function

1. Place the bread maker on a counter where the plug will reach an outlet. DO NOT yet plug the machine into the wall outlet. Wait until you have inserted bread pan into bread maker with the ingredients. (step 7).

2. Make sure you can open the bread maker top without hitting the top of kitchen cabinets.

3. Open the lid and remove the baking pan. To do this, simply grasp the handle of the pan and pull straight up. Use a gentle, non-abrasive soap and wash, rinse, and dry the pan thoroughly.

4. Attach the kneading blade (a) to the baking pan (b), as shown, matching the hub shape with the shaft shape. You may need to twist the bar slightly for the knead blade to drop in place. Make sure the knead blade is pushed down on the shafts all the way.

Do not yet place the pan into the bread maker. Wait until you have added all ingredients (step 6).

5. Place ingredients into the bread pan in the following order (or following the order and method specified in the manual of your Bread Maker):

• FIRST: liquid ingredients (Remember, use water that is room temperature. DO NOT use very hot or very cold water. It’s a good idea to view the measuring cup at eye level to make sure you have measured exactly quantity of cups) and fat.
• SECOND: dry ingredients – Make sure not to “overpack” the flour into the cup. To avoid overpacking, a good trick is to fill the measuring cup to overflowing, then tap the side of the cup with a knife or spatula to remove air pockets. Level off the measuring cup and the tablespoons with the knife or spatula for an exact measurement. It is especially important to measure the salt precisely because too much salt, even a little, can affect the rising of the dough.
• LAST: yeast – For best results level the dry ingredients before adding the yeast. With a finger or a knife, make a small indentation in the middle of the flour. Add yeast to indentation, making sure it does not come into contact with the liquid ingredients. Note: Yeast must NEVER come into contact with a liquid when you are adding ingredients.

6. Carefully insert bread pan into the breadmaker and gently close the lid.

7. Plug the power cord into a wall outlet.

8. Press the Menu button until the desired bread setting (BASIC, FRENCH, WHOLE WHEAT, SWEET, QUICK, EXPRESS BAKE (1.5lbs.), EXPRESS BAKE (2.0lbs.), GLUTEN FREE, DOUGH, PASTA DOUGH, JAM, BAKE, CAKE) is selected. Note: Display will indicate the Menu number corresponding to the bread type selected.

9. If available, press the Color button for the desired crust color.

10. If available, press the Loaf button to select the desired size loaf (1.0lb, 1.5lb or 2.0lb).

11. If desired, use the “TIME” button to set the elapsed time for when the program is to be completed. Note: The delay time is calculated as the working time plus the delayed time (example for basic bread 2.0 lbs: delay timer set to 15:00 hours = a delay time of 11 hrs. & 35 min. plus the working time of 3 hrs. & 25 min.).

Caution: Do not use Delay Timer* for recipes with ingredients that can spoil like eggs or milk.
More information at: “Using the Delay Timer“

12. Press the Start button to begin the program.

Note: If you need to stop the bread maker, press the “Start/Stop” button for about 1 second, the bread maker will stop, however, you will need to redo the process. The machine will turn off and you will need to start over again, from scratch.

After the bread maker has been turned on, the programmed setting cannot be changed without cancelling the program. To change the setting, hold the “Start/Stop” button down. Then program the control as desired and turn back on.

Important: It is important that you should not raise the lid while the bread maker is baking bread for most of the recipes. Some recipes you will need to raise the lid to glaze, add nuts, fruits, or other ingredients.

Caution: The bread maker is very hot. DO NOT handle the machine while it’s operating.

13. Optional: To glaze the loaf, brush the top with Egg Yolk, or any other glaze option, either at the beginning of cooking time or halfway through.

14. When the baking cycle is complete, an alert will sound. Turn the breadmaker off by pressing the stop button.

Note: If the bread maker is not turned off after the cycle is complete, the bread maker will automatically go into a “Keep Warm” setting that will keep your bread warm for up to one hour, we recommend however to remove the bread from the bread maker right away to preserve its freshness. If the machine is not turned off after the end of the “Keep Warm” period, the machine will turn itself off.

Important: You may remove the Baking Pan at any time during the “Keep-Warm” cycle. To turn off the “Keep-Warm” feature, simply press the “STOP” button and hold it for 2 – 3 seconds.

Remember: Bread is best when removed from bread pan no more than 1 hour after the “Keep-Warm” feature ends.

The “Keep-Warm” feature is not provided for the dough setting or the Jam/Jelly Setting.

15. Unplug the bread maker from the electrical outlet.

16. Open the lid and while using oven mitts or hot pads, firmly grasp the bread pan handle and gently pull the pan straight up and out of the machine.

Caution: The bread maker and pan may be very hot! Always handle with care.

Remember: Steam will escape when the cover is opened. Be sure to use pot holders or oven mitts to avoid steam burns. Do not put your face near the lid when you open the bread maker, hot steam may escape that could burn you.

17. Use non-stick rubber spatula (metal can damage the pan’s surface) to gently loosen the sides of the bread from the pan.

18. Turn bread pan upside down onto a wire cooling rack or clean cooking surface and gently shake until bread falls out onto rack.

Note: The knead blades will normally stay in the bread pan when the bread is removed, but may on occasion slide out in the bread. If the knead blades are inside the loaf, remove it before slicing.

Caution: The knead blades are very hot, remove with care.

19. Turn bread right side up and cool for about 15 minutes before slicing.

Important: After a baking cycle, the bread maker will not operate until it has cooled down. If making another loaf of bread right away, be sure the machine is turned off and allowed to cool 10 to 20 minutes with the cover open and the pan removed.

Dough function:

The dough function program is similar to the bread function, except that there is no baking mode operation. When the program is finished, it will beep 5 times as a warning. When the machine beeps, indicating the program is finished, remove the dough from the bread pan.

Baking function:

This function can be used to bake bread or other dough. Please refer to the relative recipe.

Note: For more even baking, it is recommended to slice food into smaller sizes and distribute them evenly in the bread pan.

Also check:

• Everything You Need to Know to Start Baking Awesome Bread Using a Bread Maker
• Fast2eat Foolproof (Bread maker) Bread Recipes

Hungry for more? A new post and/or recipe every Friday!

Once you make my recipes, I would love to see your creations, so please let me know! Leave a comment below, take a photo and tag it on your preferred Social Media with hashtag #Fast2eat.

All text and photographs on Fast2eat are copyright protected. You are welcome to share my recipes and photos through social media as long as you prominently link back to the original post. You do not need to ask my permission to link to content published here but you DO need my permission to publish my recipes and photos. Please do not use any material from this site without obtaining prior permission. If you’d like to post this recipe on your site, please link back to this post. And remember, when you adapt my recipe please acknowledge the source with “adapted from…” designating the source with the link of my recipe.

Thanks for reading and sharing.

Got a question and/or feedback? Please leave a public comment here. That way, other readers will be able to see the answers to your question and/or will benefit from your feedback. Scroll down and you will find the comment form. Comments are checked on a near-daily basis Monday through Friday and answered as soon as possible. Please don’t email me with recipe questions or feedback. I can’t keep up with them! I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.

Get in Touch! Please contact me here or comment below!

This article is part of “Everything You Need to Know to Start Baking Awesome Bread Using a Bread Maker“.

Everybody knows that I love to bake homemade bread from scratch. Using a bread machine it couldn’t be easier and it makes some fantastic bread! A bread machine combines convenience with flexibility. If you enjoy a fresh loaf of bread, but don’t have the time or space to bake from scratch, a bread machine is for you.

If you have never baked homemade bread before, and find the instructions a wee bit intimidating, I encourage you to try it. It may seem intimidating at first and the various steps do take a bit of time to learn, but overall, it is truly easy.

The simplest way to learn how to bake bread is to follow a basic recipe. Try Fast2eat Bread Recipes (much more to be published – keep checking), they are kind of foolproof 😉 really easy and the breads are delicious.

Basic Ingredients

The ingredients in basic bread are very simple: flour, sugar, salt, a liquid (such as water or milk), possibly a fat (such as butter or oil) and yeast. And each ingredient performs a specific job, and each lends a special flavor to the final masterpiece. That’s why it’s important to use the right ingredients in exactly the right proportions to ensure you get the most delicious results!

Flour

White Flour

In order for the bread to rise, the flour has to have a high protein content. You should always use “bread flour” (for white bread recipes) in your bread maker to get the best results. It contains more gluten* forming proteins than all-purpose flour and will provide well-formed loaves with good structure. This means that bread made with bread flour will rise higher than bread made with all-purpose flour.

If you don’t have Bread Flour you can make your own bread flour by adding 1 1/2 teaspoons gluten* to each cup of all-purpose flour you use in your bread recipe.

You should NOT use cake flour or self-rising flour in your bread maker.

Whole Wheat Flour

Whole Wheat Flour can be used in your bread maker using the “Whole Wheat” bread setting. Whole wheat flour contains the entire wheat kernel, including the bran and wheat germ which inhibits rising. Therefore, bread made with 100 percent or a high percentage of whole wheat flour will be lower in height and heavier in texture than bread made with bread flour. The “Whole Wheat” setting on your bread maker is programmed to better develop the structure of wheat bread for optimum results.

A lighter, larger loaf can be achieved by combining whole wheat flour with white bread flour for wheat bread recipes.

Vital Wheat Gluten* can also be added to improve the shape and volume of bread made with low gluten flours. For a 100% or a high percentage (more than 50%) of Whole Wheat Flour add 1/2 tablespoon of Vital Wheat Gluten to each cup of Whole Wheat Flour to make it lighter and to prevent the bread collapses during the baking period due to less gluten-forming protein in whole-wheat flour. This will produce a taller loaf. If you find the loaves are still short, increase by adding an extra teaspoon until you get the results you desire (be sure to note the amounts on the recipe). It’s optional, but I recommend for a guaranteed fluffy loaf, it will make a chewier and less dense crust.

Vital Wheat Gluten / Gluten Flour / Wheat Gluten*

Vital wheat gluten and gluten flour, also sometimes simply called wheat gluten, refer to the same thing. Vital wheat gluten is the protein found in wheat. It’s what gives bread its shape and pizza dough its elasticity. Vital wheat gluten is just the protein in a powdered form. It is made by washing wheat flour dough with water until all the starches dissolve, leaving just the gluten behind. It is important to add in the 100% whole wheat bread to avoid heavy and hard bread, like a brick.

And don’t worry; there is no research to support gluten-free diets for anyone other than those affected by celiac disease. Some experts still claim following a gluten-free diet in the absence of celiac disease may actually be detrimental to health, as it can lack the nutrients needed to maintain a healthy, balanced diet*.

Rye Flour

Rye Flour can be used in combination with bread flour in the preparation of rye or pumpernickel bread. However, it cannot be used alone as it does not contain enough protein to develop adequate gluten for structure.

Special Note On Flour

How to make minor adjustments for dough: All flours are affected by growing conditions, milling, storage, humidity, etc. While not visibly different, you may need to make some minor adjustments when using different brands of flour as well as compensating for the humidity in your area.

Always store bread flour in an airtight container. Store whole grain flours, whole wheat, and rye, in a refrigerator to prevent them from becoming rancid.

Measure the amount of flour as directed in each recipe, but make any adjustments after the first 3 – 4 minutes of continuous kneading.

Sugar and Others Sweeteners

Sugar and others Sweeteners provide food for the yeast, add height and flavor to the bread and give the crust a golden color and lend tenderness to the texture.

Types of sweeteners that can be used include: sugar, brown sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup, corn syrup, and fruits, dried or fresh.

Do not use artificial sweeteners as a substitute for sugars and other natural sweeteners; artificial sweeteners turn bitter when subjected to baking temperatures, the yeast will not react properly, and poor results will be attained.

When measuring sticky sweeteners, such as honey, coat the measuring spoon with vegetable oil before measuring the sweetener. This will allow the sweetener to slide off the spoon without sticking.

Liquids

When liquids are mixed with the proteins in flour, gluten is formed. Gluten* is necessary for rising. Many recipes use dry milk, but other liquids, such as fruit juice, beer and water work, too.

It’s a delicate balance: A recipe with too much liquid may cause the bread to fall during baking while a recipe with too little liquid will not rise.

Milk

Milk enhances flavor and increases the nutritional value of bread. Any type of milk; dry, whole, 2%, 1%, skim, buttermilk or canned evaporated milk can be used in making bread. Refrigerated milk may be warmed to 80-90°F (27-32°C) however do not overheat (above 100°F, 38°C) as this could affect the yeast activity.

Do not use regular milk when using the “Time Delay” function as regular milk can spoil when left at room temperature for several hours. Use dry milk and water as a substitute.

Buttermilk results in a light, high-rising and tender bread; it will also help extend the bread’s freshness. To offset the acidity of buttermilk, add 1/4 cup of baking soda per cup of buttermilk.

Water

Water is the most common liquid used in bread making. It produces a heavier, crisper crust and a more open texture.

Use lukewarm water, about 80-90°F (27-32°C). Do not use water above 100°F (38°C) as this could affect the yeast.

Fats – Butter, Margarine, Shortening, and Oils

Fat enriches bread’s flavor and keeps it tender and moist.

The same amount of vegetable shortening or oil can be substituted if you choose.

Butter and margarine are interchangeable in recipes. Salted or unsalted butter may be used. Margarine is an acceptable substitute for butter; do not use whipped or diet margarine or diet spreads as they will affect the quality. Soft spreads will NOT work.

Butter and margarine can be used right from the refrigerator. Cut cold butter or margarine into smaller pieces for faster blending during the knead cycle. Low-fat or fat-free bread can be made by substituting equal amounts of unsweetened applesauce or plain yogurt for the amount of fat recommended in the recipe.

Remember: Using less fat will affect the height, tenderness, and texture of the bread, which is normal.

Eggs

Eggs add color, richness, and leavening to bread. Use only large eggs. No premixing is needed.

Egg substitutes can be used in place of fresh eggs. One egg equals ¼ cup of egg substitute.

To reduce cholesterol, you can substitute two (2) egg whites for a large egg in the recipes without affecting the end result. Watch the dough during the knead cycle as some minor adjustment may be needed to get the dough to the right consistency.

Remember: due to health and safety precautions, do not use with the delay cycle.

Salt

Salt has several functions in making bread. It controls yeast growth while strengthening the gluten* structure to make the dough more elastic and also adds flavor.

However, it also inhibits rising, so use ordinary table salt and be very careful in measuring. Using too little or eliminating the salt will cause the dough to over-rise. Using too much can prevent the dough from rising as high as it should.

“Light” salt can be used as a substitute for ordinary table salt, providing it contains both potassium chloride and sodium. Use the same amount as recommended for table salt.

For dietary reasons, it can be omitted and, in some cases, you can use a vegetable seasoning substitute for flavor.

When adding salt to the bread pan, add to one corner to keep it away from the yeast, especially when using time delay as the salt can affect the yeast activity.

Yeast

Yeast is a living organism, when moistened by a liquid, fed by sugar and carefully warmed, yeast produces gases which cause the dough to rise. Yeast is actually a microscopic plant; without it, your bread will not rise.

Use Yeast (“Active dry”, “quick acting”, “rapid rise” or “bread machine”) in any bread machine on any cycle but use only the amount stated in the recipes. Using a little more can cause the dough to over-rise and bake into the top of the bread maker.

If you prefer to use “fast-rising” yeast, such as “quick rise” or “rapid rise”, merely decrease the amount used.

As a general guide, we recommend using:

• For Active Dry Yeast – use 3/4 teaspoon of yeast for each cup of flour. Active dry yeast is not recommended for express bread, one-hour or less bread machine cycles.
• or Instant (“fast-rising”, “quick acting”, “rapid rise” or “bread machine”) Yeast – use 1/2 teaspoon of yeast for each cup of flour. Example: 3 cups bread flour would require 1-1/2 tsp. of “fast-rising” yeast. “Fast-rising” yeast and “bread machine” yeast are virtually the same and interchangeable with one another. Note: For one-hour bread machine cycles, yeast amounts must be doubled or tripled; suggested liquid temperatures vary with machines – follow your manufacturer’s instructions.

A 7g (¼-ounce) envelope of yeast contains 2¼ teaspoons. Yeast can also be purchased in bulk so you can measure the exact amount needed. Once opened, keep refrigerated. Always make sure yeast is fresh and has not passed the “Use By” date.

Check the yeast activity

If you are unsure of the freshness of your yeast, you can test the freshness of your yeast before using:

1. Simply fill a cup with warm water, then add and stir in 2 tsp of sugar.
2. Sprinkle a few tsp of yeast on the surface of the water and wait.
3. After 15 minutes, the yeast should foam and there should be a distinct odor. If neither reaction happens, the yeast is old and should be thrown away.

If the temperature is too cold, the yeast will not be activated; if it’s too warm, it will die. Your Bread Maker takes care of this worry for you by maintaining just the right temperature in the baking chamber at all times.

Baking powder and baking soda may be used to assist yeast or on their own as leavening in quick bread which requires no kneading or rising. Recipes with baking powder and baking soda are different than yeast recipes. Leavening agents cannot be substituted for one another.

Do not use compressed yeast as poor results may be obtained.

Cinnamon and Garlic

Adding too much cinnamon or garlic can affect the texture and size of the loaf obtained. Use only the amount of cinnamon and garlic recommended in the recipe.

Cinnamon has a direct effect on the yeast activity and in large quantities, it will stop fermentation completely. It can break down the structure of the dough, affecting height and texture. Keep high percentages of cinnamon out of the dough itself and add it in the fillings where it can have only a limited effect on the yeast activity.

Too much garlic can inhibit the yeast activity.

Orange, lemon, or grapefruit peel or zest, as well as alcohol

Orange, lemon, or grapefruit peel or zest, as well as alcohol, will have a retarding effect. Too much will stop the yeast activity completely.

Tap Water x Bottled Water

Water softeners and chlorinated public water can sometimes kill the yeast needed to make your bread dough rise. If it happens use bottled water instead of tap water to make your bread.

Also check:

• Everything You Need to Know to Start Baking Awesome Bread Using a Bread Maker
• Fast2eat Foolproof (Bread maker) Bread Recipes

Hungry for more? A new post and/or recipe every Friday!

Once you make my recipes, I would love to see your creations, so please let me know! Leave a comment below, take a photo and tag it on your preferred Social Media with hashtag #Fast2eat.

All text and photographs on Fast2eat are copyright protected. You are welcome to share my recipes and photos through social media as long as you prominently link back to the original post. You do not need to ask my permission to link to content published here but you DO need my permission to publish my recipes and photos. Please do not use any material from this site without obtaining prior permission. If you’d like to post this recipe on your site, please link back to this post. And remember, when you adapt my recipe please acknowledge the source with “adapted from…” designating the source with the link of my recipe.

Thanks for reading and sharing.

Got a question and/or feedback? Please leave a public comment here. That way, other readers will be able to see the answers to your question and/or will benefit from your feedback. Scroll down and you will find the comment form. Comments are checked on a near-daily basis Monday through Friday and answered as soon as possible. Please don’t email me with recipe questions or feedback. I can’t keep up with them! I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.

Get in Touch! Please contact me here or comment below!