Questions tagged [bread]

Questions about kneading, baking, storing, and culinary use of any kind of bread.

This tag covers the traditional loaf of bread in addition to flatbreads, sourdough, pita, and anything else that one might reasonably call "bread".

Tips for effectively tagging questions, in order of preference:

  • If your question is specifically about preparing/baking bread, also tag it
  • Include the sub-type of bread if possible (, , etc.)
  • If asking for advice on a specific bread technique, include the technique (e.g. )
  • For questions concerning the raw, unbaked bread dough, use the tag
  • Consider adding a cuisine tag for localized styles of bread (e.g. for Naan)
  • When the question concerns specific ingredients in bread-making, try to include tags for those ingredients (e.g. , )
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How to make bread with plain flour?

So... Since the lock-down everybody turned baker (can't understand why, since there is plenty of bread in the shops) and I can't find bread flour anymore. Is there a way to use plain flour instead? I have 1.5kg of strong flour left, can I mix it…
algiogia
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Uses for stale bread?

Community wiki question. I'd like to compile an index of uses for stale bread. Here's a couple off the top of my head. Feel free to just go ahead and edit this list: As an ingredient Breadcrumbs, fresh or dried Breadcrumbs as coating or panade for…
Michael Natkin
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How to get threads in a yeast dough?

I think I may make some traditional food for Easter this year. What I love most is a type of rich sweet bread called kozunak. The perfect kozunak is defined by many qualities, but what I find hardest is the texture. First, it should be really…
rumtscho
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Are there any negative effects to kneading bread dough longer?

Is there such a thing as over-kneading bread dough. From what I understand, kneading the bread dough is what allows the gluten strands to align and form the beautiful gluten networks that create bread with all the little air bubbles. If that is the…
Jay
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What is the purpose of oil or butter in bread?

Specifically in wheat and potato breads, what is the purpose of adding oil or butter to the dough? I have always assumed it was just for flavor, but I suspect there is some background chemical reasons for adding it.
Gabriel Fair
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Why don't dry bread crumbs spoil, when bread does?

Why don't store-bought bread crumbs spoil? Can you make your own bread crumbs and save them for later use? Will homemade breadcrumbs mold?
brooke
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Old biscuit recipe question - "until the dough blisters"

I'm reading through some old (early 1900's) cookbooks and something that keeps coming up is beating dough "until it blisters" - here's an example. VIRGINIA BEATEN BISCUIT. One quart flour. One teaspoonful of salt. One tablespoon of lard. Work lard…
biscuitman
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How to clean up after kneading dough?

I've been making my first steps in baking recently. I usually knead the dough in the same large bowl I mix the dough in to minimize the mess but it's still a pain to wash the bowl and any sponge I use for it gets ruined afterwards. Any advice on how…
cyan txt
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baking bread with all-purpose flour

I'm a bread-baking novice and have acquired a vast quantity of all-purpose flour. If I follow a typical bread recipe, for example one of these, but use all-purpose flour instead of the recommended variety, what will happen? Will the bread be…
intuited
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Why is there vinegar in the bread recipe?

Yesterday I made bread based on a recipe I found on the flour bag. It contained both rye and wheat flour but also three tablespoons of vinegar. I've never seen it used in bread before, why is it there?
johnny
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Why does my home-made bread go mouldy?

I've been using a Panasonic bread-maker for about 20 years; in fact, I'm on my second machine. I use stone-ground wholemeal flours from different mills and, as I can't easily find Stone-ground Strong White in London, use Organic Duchy White. For a…
Mike Lewin
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How can I grow my own yeast (sourdough starter)?

I would like to always have my own culture of yeast (sourdough starter) in my fridge at home. Does anyone know how to grow yeast and keep it alive?
Martin
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Naan without tandoor?

I miss Indian food and especially good naan bread. I haven't really tried it, but I wanted to test if it's possible to make naan without a tandoor? Has anyone tried this, do you have some good tips and do you manage to make it just as good as the…
grm
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What job is the fat doing when I prepare bread dough, and what to expect if I use the wrong amount?

I've been baking bread for years and no longer really measure the ingredients. But I'm no expert on the science of what I'm doing. I add fat (lard) because I've always added fat. What job does the fat do? And if I have long been using too little or…
Tea Drinker
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How can I avoid my knife from "dragging" across my unbaked bread when making slashes to let steam escape while baking?

My slashes seem to be OK (not great) before I put the bread in the oven but never really open up during baking. I'm thinking the slashes aren't deep enough but since I use a no knead method, I'm reluctant to press any harder. Is there a trick to…
apaderno
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