If you own a bread machine, then you already know how easy it is to make various types of homemade loaves. But did you also know it can also be used for pizza dough, cakes, jams & jellies?
The bread machine is an invaluable tool for baking all sorts of treats you wouldn’t normally be able to find at a specialty store. Be sure to read the owner’s manual for your model of machine in order to understand its various cycles and settings.
1. Basic Bread
Basic bread is a staple in many households. Made with only five ingredients, it can be enjoyed for breakfast or sandwiches.
Making great bread takes a lot of time and skill, but with the help of a bread machine you can achieve excellent results every time. Unlike traditional methods which involve many hands-on steps, the machine does all the hard work so you can sit back and relax while your loaf bakes in the oven!
To make bread, the dough must first be mixed by hand or machine and then kneaded until smooth. This helps develop gluten, which is a network of proteins that gives dough its elastic and extensible qualities. Furthermore, this step creates microbubbles within the dough that will expand during proofing – giving bread its light and fluffy texture.
2. Pizza Dough
Pizza dough is a beloved treat among bread connoisseurs, and it’s incredibly straightforward to make at home. All that’s required is active dry yeast, warm water, and sugar for activation.
Flour plays an integral role in baking: Choose all-purpose or bread flour for a chewier crust. If you have gluten allergies, look into using wheat-free options or a blend of all-purpose and whole grain flours that’s gluten-free.
Other ingredients you will need are salt, olive oil and yeast. Yeast adds flavor and helps the dough rise.
Once the pizza dough is done, it can be eaten immediately or stored in the freezer for up to two days or longer. Simply place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap; this will help prevent drying out.
3. Artisan Dough
Artisan bread is a unique type of loaf made with different whole grains and other ingredients such as oatmeal, wheat, cracked wheat and other flours. It’s renowned for its dense texture and distinctive aromas.
Making this delicious bread requires only water, yeast and flour – simply stir until a shaggy dough forms.
Let the dough rest for 30 minutes, and then perform several folds and stretches to help build gluten.
Start by grasping the top portion of the dough with your hands and gently pulling it over to one edge of the bowl. Repeat on all four corners (about five times). This helps build gluten, making the dough more cohesive and elastic.
4. Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls are an irresistible treat that can be enjoyed at any time of day. Made with cinnamon, sugar and butter, these sweet rolls are sure to please even the pickiest palate!
These rolls are often enjoyed for breakfast, but can also be enjoyed at other meals. They’re easy to make and feature a delicious cream cheese frosting.
You can prepare this recipe ahead of time and store the dough in the freezer. Doing so will save you valuable time when baking your rolls.
When ready to bake, take the dough from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature before baking. Doing this will help the rolls rise more easily and give them a fluffy texture.
5. French Bread
French bread is a traditional dinner bread that comes in various shapes. It is typically made with wheat flour, water, yeast and salt.
Baguettes come in many shapes, such as baguette, round, oval or square. When served, many enjoy them with some butter on top for flavor.
Homemade bread making can be a rewarding and satisfying process to master, but it requires patience to achieve.
6. Whole Wheat Bread
Whole wheat bread is made with whole grain flour and contains more fiber than white or all-purpose bread. Furthermore, it’s healthier for us as it retains the wheat’s natural bran and germ, which contain essential oils which aid digestion of food.
Bread is also an excellent source of protein and iron, both which can be depleted from processed foods. Furthermore, it’s lower in fat and calories than other varieties of bread.
Making whole wheat bread is as easy as mixing all the ingredients together and letting them rise for several hours. Once doubled in size, shape into a loaf and bake in the oven!
7. Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Cinnamon raisin bread is a timeless comfort food sure to please the whole family. It’s soft, moist, and packed with flavor and texture – the perfect combination!
This bread is infused with swirls of sweet cinnamon and brown sugar, then topped off with plump raisins for extra sweetness and delicious flavor.
This bread is easy to make in a bread maker and makes one 1.5 pound loaf that’s great for breakfast, snacking or dessert.
Combine all dough ingredients in a bowl using either your stand mixer or by hand until a shaggy dough forms. Then, knead until it smoothes out and pulls together.
8. White Bread
This classic white bread recipe is soft, fluffy and perfectly flavored – ideal for sandwiches, dipping bread, toasting up sandwiches – and more!
This homemade white bread requires only a few simple ingredients and takes only minutes to prepare. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity for your family members to learn how to make their own bread without needing you to visit the store!
Making homemade white bread is a must-try for any home cook who wants to save money and avoid preservatives found in bagged grocery bread. Plus, making this delicious treat for the entire family is both enjoyable and rewarding!
9. Sourdough Bread
Sourdough bread is made with naturally occurring yeast and bacteria in flour, providing essential vitamins, minerals and probiotics for gut health.
Traditional sourdough recipes require a starter, which is an innocuous culture of water and flour that ferments to produce natural yeast. This fermentation creates the distinctive flavor that sets sourdough apart from other bread recipes.
A sourdough starter must be regularly fed water, flour and other ingredients in order to stay active and bubbly. This process can take anywhere from 12 hours up to several days depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
10. Cinnamon Raisin Bread with Nuts
This cinnamon raisin bread makes the ideal breakfast treat. It’s soft, sweet, and packed with plump raisins and walnuts for an irresistible crunch!
This recipe makes a delectable loaf that can be enjoyed with butter or jam. Plus, you can slice it and freeze for later!
To make this bread in your bread machine, measure and place all ingredients (except the raisins) into the pan in the order recommended by your manufacturer. Select either Basic Cycle or Sweet Cycle, with medium/normal crust options.
Add raisins to the dough in either the final 5 minutes of kneading or at the end, depending on when it was completed. For optimal results, keep all liquid ingredients at 80degF (unless otherwise specified in your manual); all other ingredients can be kept at room temperature.
