Using Your Bread Machine for Non-Machine Bread Recipes: Tips and Tricks

For many home bakers, the bread machine is a beloved staple, streamlining the bread-making process. However, some recipes may not be designed specifically for a bread machine, leaving bakers with the question: can a bread machine handle these recipes?

Ingredients and Settings

Yes, you can indeed use your bread machine to mix, knead, and rise bread dough that isn’t specifically designed for a machine. Here are some essential steps and tips to follow to ensure success:

Check Ingredients

Before you begin, ensure that your recipe has a suitable ratio of flour to liquid. Bread machines typically work best with recipes that have a similar hydration level to those designed for them. Incorrect hydration can lead to dough that is too dry or too wet, which can affect the final product.

Use the dough cycle on your bread machine. This cycle is designed to mix, knead, and allow the dough to rise, making it an ideal choice for this task. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific model, as the timing and consistency may vary.

Monitor the Process

Keep a close eye on the dough during the mixing and kneading stages. If it appears too dry, you can add small amounts of water. Conversely, if it's too wet, a bit of flour can help. Adjusting the dough consistency is crucial for achieving the best results.

Final Rise and Baking

Once the dough has risen to the desired size, you have a few options:

If your recipe allows it, continue the process in the bread machine and bake the bread following the machine's instructions. Alternatively, shape the dough and transfer it to a traditional oven for baking as you would with a non-machine bread recipe.

Experimenting with different recipes can help you perfect the technique. Don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't flawless—different doughs can behave differently in a bread machine, and a few tries often yield the best results.

Using a Bread Machine for Multiple Recipes

Bread machines can be versatile tools for making a wide range of dough-based recipes, not just traditional bread. Here are some additional tips and exceptions to consider:

Consistency and Machine Limits

Keep the total weights of your ingredients within the guidelines of your bread machine. Also, remember to maintain the correct consistency of the dough. Some recipes, such as no-knead breads, may not work well in a bread machine due to their high hydration levels or natural unpredictable rise times.

Scaling Recipes

Most bread recipes can be easily scaled to fit a bread machine. If you typically work with larger quantities, you can scale the recipe to around 1.5 lbs or 2 lbs of dough. Just be careful not to exceed the machine's capacity or your dough may not rise properly.

Yeast Recipes and Starters

For yeast recipes with starters (Bigas or Poolishes), make the starters first and then add them as an ingredient. You can usually add them along with the liquids. This will maintain the complexity and flavor of your bread without overwhelming the machine.

Sourdough and Rising

For sourdough, I prefer letting the dough rise at a temperature of 70 to 75°F. A bread machine may not be the ideal choice for sourdough because it cannot maintain the precise temperatures and conditions needed for optimal rising. However, there are methods to achieve this outside the machine.

Free Flowing Tips

NBD using a bread machine with any recipe, provided you keep the ingredients total weights within the guidelines and ensure the correct consistency. I don’t buy mixes; instead, I make my doughs from scratch and use my bread machine for all my breads, rolls, and pizza doughs.

If you can adapt your recipe to two columns—wet ingredients and dry ingredients—you can put the wet ingredients in first, including the yeast, and then add the dry ingredients last. Starting the machine on either the bread cycle or the dough cycle will help achieve the best results.

In conclusion, using your bread machine for non-machine bread recipes can save time and effort, while still allowing you to enjoy the satisfaction of homemade bread. Experiment, adjust, and you'll soon find the perfect balance for your baking needs.