Introducing the bread maker cycles and settings Fast2eat

Bread maker cycles and settings!

A bread maker has different cycles and settings to help you bake the desired bread. It’s an appliance that makes baking bread easy, but sometimes choosing the proper cycle and setting can be confusing. Fast2eat Bread Recipes show you which setting to use, but if you’re not using one of the Fast2eat recipes or your recipe doesn’t tell you which cycle to use, this post can help. It explains the most common bread machine cycles and settings for your convenience.

Note: Refer to your owner’s manual for your specific machine cycles.

Choose the right setting to get the bread texture, colour, and flavour you want.

Some commonly found setting options in a bread machine include:

Basic (or Standard or White) setting

The basic (or Standard or White) bread maker cycle is for baking plain white bread, and it’s the bread maker’s most commonly used cycle. It is designed for making a wide variety of bread recipes because it works well with most basic recipes.

Do NOT use this “Basic setting” for sweet yeast bread, as it could burn your loaf.

Sweet (or “Fruit & Nut”) setting

This setting is for making sweet bread. The bread needs more time to rise and should be baked at a lower temperature, around 120-149°C/ 250-300°F, to avoid a burnt or dark crust. This is because the sugar or sweeteners in the bread can cause this.

Don’t mix up the “Cake setting” with this one. The “Cake setting” cooks at a different speed and doesn’t need to rise.

Whole wheat (or “Whole Grain” or “Basic Wheat”) setting

The “Whole wheat setting” is excellent for making bread with more than 50% of whole grain ingredients. Such bread could include flour like whole wheat, rye, bran, cracked wheat, cereals, barley, spelt, and oats. The setting allows the dough to rise a bit longer, which helps to make the bread lighter and better textured.

French (or “European” or “Crisp”) setting

Use your bread maker’s “French setting” for crispy and light bread. This setting works well for different types of bread made the European way, not just French bread. The timing on this setting is longer than the “Basic” setting, which allows the yeast to rise and create a better texture. The longer time produces a chewy inner crumb and a heartier crust like French and Italian bread. Check if your bread maker has that option, and choose a dark crust.

If you don’t have a “French” setting, you can use the “Basic” setting and choose a dark crust.
However, for better results, use it just if you do not have this “French setting.”

Gluten-free setting

Bread makers can make gluten-free bread too. Some models have a particular option for it. Use that option when making gluten-free bread.

Gluten-free bread requires less rising time but still needs the rise time.

“Quick/Rapid” (or “Quick yeast” or “Turbo” or “Quick bake”) setting

Use the shorter setting to bake bread quickly, for about 1:20-1:45 hours. It takes a little longer than the “One-hour” option, but the bread will be softer with a more delicate texture.
It is for bread in a hurry as it skips the second rise.

Depending on the machine, this setting can be different, but it usually makes the dough rise faster.
You should check your machine’s manual to know how to use it properly.

ExpressBake™ (or “One-hour” or “Fast Bake”) setting

“ExpressBake™” is a fast setting that bakes bread in just 58 minutes by skipping some rising time. It may also be called “One-hour” or “Fast Bake.”

Cake setting

Use the “cake” setting on your bread maker for recipes that don’t use yeast, like quick bread or cake mix. Cakes are made with baking powder or baking soda, and you can use many types of cake recipes.

This setting doesn’t need rising time. Yeast bread needs rising time, so make sure to use the correct setting.

Dough setting

Use the dough setting in your bread machine to make hand-shaped bread. It mixes and kneads the dough and takes it through the first rise. You can adapt your favourite recipes for this “setting,” concerning using quantities that will fit in your machine.

When the machine beeps, remove the dough and shape it as desired. You can make different types of bread, like rolls, flatbread, and bagels.
The dough setting usually takes between 1 and 2.5 hours, depending on your machine. Some bread machines also have different options for making dough quickly or slowly. It works well with the timer, so prepare the dough when you have time to shape and bake it.
You can also use the dough setting to make other types of dough for baking in the oven, like cookie dough or pie crust. Some machines may even have a setting for making pasta dough.

Pizza dough setting

Many bread machines have a setting for making pizza dough, but you can use the “Dough setting” on any machine.
Read further about How to make the perfect pizza dough using a bread machine.

Pasta dough setting

You can use this setting to make fresh pasta dough for noodles, ravioli, and other kinds of pasta.

Bake setting

This setting is for baking dough you may have prepared without using the machine’s other settings. It’s when you mix the ingredients by hand and put them to bake in the bread pan. You can also use this setting to bake or brown your bread or cake more if it needs more time or during a power outage.

You can choose how long you want it to bake in some machines.

Jam setting

This setting is for making jams, marmalades, and other spreads.
Cut the fruit into pieces to make the jam in the machine. DO NOT blend it beforehand. Just trust me on that.

When the cycle finishes, the bread pan, handle, paddle, and machine can be very hot.
Be careful and use potholders.

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