Ingredients in Baked Bread: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the percentages of ingredients in baked bread is essential for both home bakers and commercial bakers. This guide will explore various bread recipes and their typical ingredient compositions. When it comes to bread, precision and balance are crucial, which is where 'baker’s math' plays a vital role. This method, although not the focus of this article, offers a standardized approach to measuring and mixing ingredients.

Bread Recipes and Their Ingredient Percentages

Ingredient percentages in bread recipes can vary widely, depending on the type of bread and the intended flavor and texture. For instance, a simple lean bread often contains only four key ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt. In contrast, more complex recipes may include a multitude of additional components like sugar, shortening, milk, flavorings, and specialty flour types.

French Bread Recipe

The following is a standard lean bread recipe, often referred to as a French bread:

Ingredients:

Flour - 100% Water - 56% Yeast - 2% Salt - 2%

Note that in baker’s percentages, the total flour weight is set to 100%, while the other ingredients are expressed as a percentage of the total flour weight. This method helps maintain precise proportions for consistent results.

Complex Bread Recipes

Commercial bakers often use more elaborate recipes that include additional ingredients such as sugar, shortening, and various flavorings. Here are a few examples of complex bread recipes:

Raisin Bread

Ingredients:

Flour - 100% Water - 65% Yeast - 4% Salt - 2% Sugar - 6% Shortening - 5% Raisins - 60% Cinnamon - 0.05% Yeast food - 0.25% Emulsifier - 0.25%

Rye Bread

Ingredients:

Flour - 30% Rye Flour - 70% Water - 58% Yeast - 2% Salt - 2% Sugar - 6% Shortening - 4% Milk (dry) - 0.25%

French Potato Bread

Ingredients:

Clear Wheat Flour - 100% Water - 56% Yeast - 2% Salt - 2% Sugar - 2% Shortening - 2% Potato Flour - 3% Milk (dry) - 6% Cinnamon - 0.05% Yeast food - 0.25% Emulsifier - 0.25%

Potato Flour Bread

Ingredients:

Potato Flour - 3% Clear Wheat Flour - 97% Water - 65% Yeast - 2% Salt - 2% Sugar - 6% Shortening - 4% Milk (dry) - 6% Cinnamon - 0.05% Yeast food - 0.25% Emulsifier - 0.25%

Understanding the Charts

The charts provided by The Bakery Network offer a comprehensive look at the ingredient compositions for various bread recipes. These percentages help commercial bakers achieve specific textures and flavors. Note the following key points:

Each recipe has unique ingredients and their percentages, reflecting the unique characteristics of the desired bread. Ingredient percentages are based on weight, ensuring accurate measurements. The totals often exceed 100% due to the inclusion of custom or specialty items beyond traditional flour, water, yeast, and salt. Commercial bakers often use specialized ingredients like compressed yeast, dry milk, and flavor enhancers, which may not be standard in home baking.

Conclusion

Understanding the percentages of ingredients in baked bread is crucial for achieving the desired texture and flavor. Whether you're a home baker or a commercial baker, using baker’s math and precise ingredient percentages can lead to consistently delicious results. Explore different recipes and experiment with various ingredients to find your perfect bread recipe.