Even the simplest loaf of bread represents an amazing array of chemical changes. Turning yeast, finely ground wheat and water into a crusty, aromatic loaf is a fascinating example of kitchen science. While some amount of shrinkage is inevitable and even desirable -- it's a sign that the fragrant loaf is ready to come out of the oven -- too much shrinkage could mean a problem in your bread-baking methodology.
Unlike quick breads that suffer from overmixing, yeast breads depend on your manipulation of the dough for their structure. When you knead the dough, the gluten in the flour forms a weblike network that traps the gases emitted ...
Regular cornmeal consists of nothing but ground dried corn. White, yellow and even blue corn can form the basis for cornmeal. Stone-ground versions leave more of the nutritious germ and fiber-rich hull of the grain intact. Self...
Professional artisan bakers, who make bread by hand with raw, natural ingredients, use professional steam ovens that get very hot, resulting in perfectly browned loves. You can re-create the effects of a professional bread-baki...
However, if you know how to replace these ingredients with more healthful alternatives, you can adjust your favorite baking recipes to accommodate a natural-food lifestyle. Substitute juice concentrates for white sugar, butter,...
Banana bread, like other fruit-based quick breads, is a sweet, hearty treat that is a nice addition to a snack tray, brunch platter and more. Properly baked banana bread is moist, dense and full of flavor. When you mix the batt...
Good bread is one of the most comforting of comfort foods. A homemade or artisan-baked loaf is welcome at any meal and has a flavor and texture that mass-produced bread can't simulate. Sourdough bread is especially flavorful. A...
Silken tofu contains little flavor, but when used to make banana bread, it provides a smooth, creamy texture. In addition, tofu, made from soybeans, is a rich source of protein. Mix silken tofu with ripe bananas and other ingre...
Semi-sweet chocolate is dark chocolate. While the term dark chocolate is often mistakenly used to refer to unsweetened baking chocolate, there is actually no difference between semi-sweet and dark chocolate. Dark chocolate must...
King Arthur Flour explains that when chemical leaveners came about, they were intended to become a substitute for yeast. However, this is not what occurred. Yeast is still the main leavening agent used in bread making, although...
Unlike a regular gas or charcoal grill that cooks with an open flame, the indirect heat of a Traeger eliminates flare-ups so you can bake bread without scorching the crust or ending up with a smoky-tasting finished product. The...
Bread, the staff of life, can be more of a bane for people who are sensitive to wheat, gluten or yeast. Fortunately, brands of gluten-free breads are increasing, and some are yeast-free. But baking your own bread usually is c...
Baking powder is an ingredient added to the batter of many baked goods before baking to create greater volume and lighter texture in the final product. Cornbread, a type of a bread made from cornmeal, is one such item that is l...
Mac and cheese with a bread crumb crust is a creamy casserole dish commonly served for dinner. The bread crumb crust is crispy and complements the soft noodles and gooey, melted cheese. Any kind of shredded cheese can be used, ...
Although homemade bread recipes, such as those for baguettes, may seem intimidating, it only takes a little bit of practice to be able to turn out perfect loaves. Baguettes are especially well-suited for sopping up sauces or ma...
The difficulty in bread baking, according to Julia Child in her book "My Life in France," is that the four ingredients are always the same -- flour, yeast, salt and water -- but there are more than ten thousand ways o...
This can make meal planning a challenge, especially if you have gluten-intolerant children who want to eat sandwiches. One solution is to bake your own gluten-free bread. With a few tricks, you can successfully, and inexpensive...
Combining the summer abundance of fresh grated zucchini with flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves in homemade zucchini bread is a treat for the whole family. Though zucchini bread is more of a cake, the addit...
When you bake bread with a starter, you add an already-risen piece of dough to the rest of the ingredients in your bread recipe. Incorporate a simple sponge starter into white or whole-grain bread to give it a softer texture, e...
Whether you bake the old-fashioned way or use a bread machine, many of your favorite bread recipes likely require butter. Melted butter is a common ingredient in yeast breads, including white and wheat breads, as well as sweet ...
The Pyrex Bake a Round was a specialized bread baking pan, manufactured by Corning Glass in the 1970s. It consisted of a cylindrical tube of tempered glass, with a chromed wire rack to hold it steady in the oven and on the coun...
Gluten is a sticky protein present in wheat and is commonly used as a food additive because of its thickening properties. A gluten-free diet is the only medically acceptable treatment for celiac disease and wheat allergies. Peo...
Breading is a good way to seal in meat juices and vary the flavor of pork chops. Pork is normally quite lean, and while this contributes to its nutritional value, lean meat can easily dry out during baking. Breading forms a pro...
It also holds water, which helps the bread last longer in a dry environment but increases the moisture of it too much in a humid environment. Despite these functions, salt is one nutrient that you should limit in your diet, and...
The cool rise method for yeast dough is sometimes called the cool proofed method or straight dough method. This method of making yeast dough is lengthy, requiring you to refrigerate the dough overnight. However, because it does...
Yeast are living organisms that belong to the fungus family. Yeast is the ingredient in bread and pastry recipes that allows the dough to rise, giving way to a light and fluffy texture. Yeast is first dissolved in warm water an...
Making bread in your own kitchen gives you control over what you're eating, saves you money and can provide great tasting results. If you're new to bread baking, don't worry: though the process of rising dough and kneading may ...
Birnbrodt keeps until Candlemas on February 2nd. Canned pears, baking mix and leftover juice from maraschino cherries instead of the more expensive kirsch has this bread ready to bake in 30 minutes, once it rises.
There are few smells that trigger more of a reaction in people than freshly baked bread. Making your own sourdough potato bread can be a lengthy process, but the results are worth it. Homemade breads are better tasting than sto...
Baking pumpkin bread at low temperatures results in a soft, moist loaf that you can take to parties or enjoy as a snack. Rich breads, like pumpkin bread, need a lower baking temperature for a longer period of time to keep the o...
Wholesome home-baked bread often has a flavor and nutritional edge over commercially-baked breads. Whole-grain breads such as whole wheat, oats, rye or graham flour are especially vitamin- and fiber-rich. Because home-baked br...
Gluten is a protein in grains such as wheat, barley or rye. This means that celiac disease sufferers cannot eat conventional bread. But there are bread alternatives made out of gluten-free flour. You can combine these flours wi...
Those who can benefit the most from a low-salt diet are those suffering or at risk of hypertension, high-blood pressure. Baking your own bread gives you the opportunity to reduce sodium while enjoying fresh, hearty breads. Some...
Homemade bread has infinite variations. From light and flaky to rich and heavy, bakers use an arsenal of tricks and techniques to improve the quality and texture of their bread. Washes are applied just before bread is baked and...
Yeast is the key to creating bread with a light and airy texture; combined with a slightly sweet and satisfying flavor, the perfect bread comes down to the introduction of yeast. In fact, from the time you start your dough unti...
Though it makes a good substitute for sugar in coffee or sprinkled over cereal, baking with it is a little more complicated. Once you know what recipes it works with and which it doesn't, you can bake with it successfully.
Banana bread baked in a canning jar makes an attractive gift. The problem with bread in a jar is that even if it is sealed, it isn't truly "canned." The moist, airtight environment inside a sealed jar is a perfect place for gro...
Sweet yeast breads are easy to make at home and make a good breakfast or brunch treat. A sweet dough follows the same principles as regular bread dough, but with the inclusion of sugar, eggs and shortening. This results in a br...
Baking, the final step in making a loaf of yeast bread, is a two-step process. During the first step, yeast in the bread reacts with oven temperatures, causing "oven spring" or a slight, final rising of the dough. During the se...
Banana bread is quick-style bread that does not require yeast or a long rising period. Made in a standard loaf pan, banana bread takes about 60 minutes to bake. Cut the baking time in half by using miniature loaf pans with your...
Figs are usually purchased dried and packaged for use in various recipes or as a nutrient-rich snack. Fig bread recipes often include nuts, although many of the recipes include fennel seeds. You can make a basic fig bread with ...
Bread at its most basic results from the chemical interaction of yeast, water and flour under the influence of heat. Most cultures that have cultivated wheat also developed some form of bread; the earliest versions probably too...
When making pumpkin bread, make one loaf to keep and one to share. Use a recipe already developed for two loafs or double your favorite pumpkin bread recipe and add about 10 minutes to your bake time.
Bread from Bahrain is pita bread, a baked flat bread also called "khubz" in Arabic. Pita bread is used as a dipping bread or as a low-carbohydrate sandwich bread, where the sandwich ingredients fit inside the center pocket when...
The bread-making technique also requires a covered, ovenproof cooking pot to help achieve the right balance of heat and humidity for a thick, crispy crust. By making this bread at home, you can save yourself countless trips to ...
Baking bread at home is economical, healthy and provides the satisfaction of producing a golden loaf. Although bread has a short list of ingredients, it is important to keep proportions correct and the right amount of moisture ...
It can be mixed with mayonnaise or sour cream to create a Ranch dip. It can be used to marinate and season meats, and it can be used in a spread for creating delicious bread. Choose your favorite type of bread to use for baked ...
The Boy Scouts of America teaches cooking techniques using a Dutch oven to help campers bake goods while away from a traditional oven. A Dutch oven is a flame-resistant roasting pot with a lid to keep heat circulating around th...
The milk combines milk and sugar for use as a base for your recipes. If you are consuming a low-fat diet, Eagle Brand milk is available in a low-fat or fat-free varieties. The bread uses ingredients that are easily found in you...
This technique is typically called "set the sponge." The process requires letting the bread rise more than once, which yields extraordinary flavor and texture for breads. "Sponge" breads are commonly called "artisan" breads. Th...
While mozzarella sticks are a staple appetizer in many restaurants, breaded pepperjack cheese squares provide a spicy alternative. You can save calories by baking this crunchy, cheesy snack in your oven. Add flavor to your pank...
Baking bread in an aluminum pan does require more preparation than other forms of baking ware. Whether you use thin, throwaway aluminum pans or heavy duty, reusable aluminum pans, the preparation requirements remain the same. T...
You can freeze partially cooked bread or apply your favorite garlic herb blend to finish cooking the next day before your dinner party. Cooking bread partially through is known as par baking and used by many bakeries and grocer...
Fortunately, with a little knowledge about how convection -- a restaurant-industry term for a fan that circulates hot air within the unit -- works, you can turn out delicious yeasted breads.
Fresh bread is tasty, comforting and satisfying, and basic white bread is easier to make than you think. The proofing, or fermentation process of yeast, plays a crucial role in the taste and texture of bread. Yeast is, in fact,...
Classic chicken cordon bleu is a split chicken breast stuffed with ham and either Swiss or gruyère cheese and then breaded and baked. It is time-consuming to make, but these days there are prepared versions available in ...
Baking bread in a clay oven is the oldest documented method of producing artisan bread. Before the Industrial Revolution, every loaf of bread was an artisan loaf, as each had its own time to rise and flour was not of consistent...
Barbari has a soft, golden exterior with a strong, yet pleasant, bready scent. The smell and color of barbari bread is created by brushing its exterior with a sauce before baking it. Serve barbari a la carte or with a topping o...
Baking your own bread allows you to control the ingredients. You can substitute honey for sugar, add whole-grain oatmeal or flax seed, or even grind your own wheat berries. Honey has 22 calories per teaspoon, compared to 16 for...
When used to bake bread, stoneware bread pans result in a crispy, crusty loaf of bread that is similar in texture to bread baked in a brick-lined oven. Baguettes, sandwich loaves and pizza all benefit from being housed in these...
But you do not have to resort to buying a raisin bread braid from your local store or bakery. With a few simple ingredients from your pantry and refrigerator, you can fill up your house with the tantalizing aroma of a
Whether you want to save energy by leaving your oven off or just want to keep the kitchen cool on a hot day, you may find that bread made in a slow cooker serves as a satisfactory means of creating a freshly baked loaf, complet...
Even the best-stocked pantry may lack an ingredient from time to time, especially fruits that ripen quickly, such as bananas. Banana bread's emergence as a popular homemade dessert in the 1930s resulted from a marketing effort ...
Fried chicken is practically an American institution, and you'd be hard pressed to find a city anywhere in the United States that doesn't have a restaurant -- or at least a gas station café -- that serves fried chicken. ...
Multigrain bread is among the most interesting varieties of whole grain loaves, and it offers a number of potential health benefits as well. According to the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences, whole ...
Baking an attractive loaf of bread may seem intimidating, but by following the recipe directions and taking your time with each step of the process, you will soon find you can bake a loaf of bread that rivals those found in a b...
Cheesy, spicy pepperoni bread is the perfect accompaniment to spaghetti, pasta fagioli, or any other hearty Italian meal. Pepperoni bread sounds decadent and difficult to make, but if you can make homemade bread, you can make p...
Have fun baking with a variety of pot sizes, depending on the recipe. A 5-inch diameter terracotta pot makes a medium-sized loaf of bread while miniature terra cotta pots work well for creative cupcakes. Baking bread and cakes ...
In any case, variations on the classic recipe, such as using raisin bread to make baked French toast, make frugality just as sweet today.
Refrigerating bread dough is one of the most convenient ways to store it for an extended period of time. Depending on the composition of your dough and how you're planning to bake it, you may be able to put it in the oven strai...
Making bread at home is surprisingly easy and affordable. Mixers make kneading the dough a snap, and also simplify the making of rustic bread doughs with whole grains, nuts and seeds. The best type of mixer for making bread is ...
People who suffer from this condition cannot properly digest gluten, which is a protein in the grains rye, wheat and barley. While bread often contains these grains -- and therefore gluten -- there are increasing number of glut...
Achieving the characteristic flatness of communion bread comes from excluding not only yeast, but also any ingredients such as egg whites, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar or sourdough starter that promote fermentati...
You might think a Bundt pan is only for baking Bundt cakes, but you can bake a variety of foods in a Bundt pan, such as meat loaf, potatoes and breads. Whether you want to bake from scratch or use premade dough, you can make ma...
Mass-produced breads tend to have soft crusts while artisanal breads, handmade in small batches, tend to have crunchier crusts. Getting the perfect crust is tricky; do it wrong and you may end up with a crust that is too thick ...
Bread making is not difficult, though it can be time consuming. Different equipment streamlines the process, making it easier for you to bake homemade bread. To begin the recipe, measure out all of your ingredients ahead of tim...
Although the classic form of baked bread dough is a loaf, whether free-form or shaped in a pan, that's not always the most practical way to bake it. Buns are far better able to cradle hamburgers and hot dogs, act as accompanime...
The liquid, which is less viscous than honey, is widely available in the sweetener section of grocery or health food stores. Light agave nectar has a very mild flavor, while dark or amber varieties have a hint of a maple taste....
Durum wheat is a hard grain also called semolina. It has high amounts of protein and gluten, which makes it ideal for making yeast bread. Durum also is used to make pasta and macaroni. However, because of the protein and gluten...
Wholemeal bread, also known as whole-wheat bread, has been a staple of the American diet since precolonial times. Whole-wheat flour, milled from the entire wheat kernel, is lower in gluten than all-purpose flour and results in ...
Crusty on the outside, pillowy-light on the inside, sourdough French bread boasts a subtly sour flavor that complements the yeasty richness of this heritage recipe. The tangy twist comes from the use of sourdough starter, a com...
Baking bread in covered clay pots creates an old-world style artisan loaf. This bread has a thick, crisp crust like bakers used to produce in wood-fired clay ovens before the advent of electricity. This just can't be done in yo...
Because of the convenience of store-bought breads, many home cooks have not attempted to make their own breads. Baking bread comes with its own vocabulary. This can make reading new recipes difficult for a novice baker. However...
Although it is tough to replicate bakery breads in your own oven, there's no reason to be nervous about whipping up a simple loaf of sandwich bread or a basic, free-form artisan loaf. Home bread-baking takes practice, but as lo...
Homemade multigrain bread may conjure up images of flavorless, compact loaves that have brick-like levels of density. Although that's what can happen if you don't treat your bread with care, it's not difficult to make fabulous ...
There are a few reasons you might want to bake a loaf of bread with millet. Millet is a whole grain, which means any loaf made with it is likely to have a better nutritional value than a loaf made with standard, all-purpose flo...
A walnut-raisin-cranberry loaf, though very flavorful, is likely to be quite dense. Because it's not as light and airy as other breads, it works best when eaten warm with jam, toasted and spread with butter or chopped and baked...
Not having a loaf pan is no reason to refrain from baking bread at home. Although it's true that some loaves will rise higher and turn out with better-shaped sandwich slices if baked in pans, free-form loaves have benefits as w...
Water is one of the core ingredients in bread; without it, the dough wouldn't hold together. Along with flour, yeast and salt, water helps form the most basic of loaves and fulfills a number of crucial functions as well. Accord...
Replacing or reducing the oil in quick breads, like banana bread or zucchini bread, is easy and cuts the total fat and calories. In quick breads, the fat in oil acts to provide moisture, reduce stickiness and carry flavor. Othe...
Others cannot have wheat because they have a sensitivity to the protein gluten. "A 100 percent gluten-free diet is the only existing treatment for celiac today," explains the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. Celiac dis...
When baking bread with yeast, you have many flour options to choose from. It may be difficult to determine the appropriate kind of flour to use, especially when making a bread that requires leavening. Most types of flour that a...
Unlike yeast breads, which rise from yeast's natural fermentation, banana bread relies on baking soda, baking powder, or a combination. Both are chemical leaveners that produce carbon dioxide bubbles when they come into contact...
While people most often use clay pots for roasting meat or making hot dishes such as casseroles, stews and pasta dishes, clay pots are well suited for bread baking, resulting in moist, tender loaves with a flavorful outer crust...
Oatmeal bread, like oats, originated in Europe. The oldest known cultivated oats were found in caves in Switzerland. This ancient grain has much to contribute to the bread. One-half cup of uncooked oats has 4 g of fiber. This f...
Banana bread is a "quick bread," meaning that it is leavened with baking powder and/or baking soda rather than yeast. Banana bread baked in a traditional loaf pan measuring 9 by 5 by 3 inches takes about 55 to 60 minutes to bak...
Shortening is a type of fat usually made from vegetable oils. It is used for frying or baking. Shortening can be melted or softened depending on your recipe and what you are substituting. When baking banana bread, you can use...
Bread crumb coatings add texture and flavor to baked foods, but store-bought coatings can be loaded with sugar, sodium and artificial ingredients. Making your own bread crumb mixture for the "shake & bake" method of cooking ens...
Ciabatta is a light, chewy Italian loaf of bread with an oval shape and an interior full of gaping air pockets. To get all those pockets, it's necessary to have a very wet dough, which is why it can be tough to make ciabatta at...
Each type of flour has a specific use, based on the levels of gluten present. Bread flour is a high-gluten, high-protein flour ideal for bread, while low-gluten flours are designed for baked goods like cake. You can substitute ...
Even minimal changes in your baking environment can impact the end result when you're making yeast breads. Know your oven temperature, check it regularly and consider using an internal instant-read thermometer for perfectly b
Mahi-mahi is a pretty blue and green fish with dark flesh. Cooked mahi-mahi has a firm, flaky texture. The fish can be grilled, baked or pan seared. Mahi-mahi can be baked with a crunchy, breaded coating as well. Coat mahi-mahi...
The basic recipe for yeast bread is among the world's simplest, using just three ingredients: flour, yeast and water. Nevertheless, turning out a good loaf of bread is a challenge for many home bakers. Good bread depends on you...
The comforting, inviting smell of home-baked bread should be reason enough to try baking at home. Home-baked bread can also offer more nutrients and fewer additives than commercially manufactured breads. Although baking bread t...
Calories in home-baked bread vary depending on ingredients. Make your own bread so that you can control calories and fat.
Although bread is high in carbohydrates, it can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet by baking it with higher protein flours, such as almond flour, instead of its typical refined flours. In addition, a high-protein and high-fib...
Replace sugar with honey when baking bread for a healthier alternative. As Columbia University says on its Go Ask Alice! website, the fructose in sugar is more readily converted to fat stores than the fructose in honey. Honey c...
Smell is one of the most powerful senses you have; however, your sense of smell would be nothing without fragrance. Whether it's reminding you of someone special in your life or signaling you that your child needs a diaper chan...
