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cvbmom Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 15 2005 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Oct 13 2008 at 7:09am | IP Logged
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I could use some bread making help. I really enjoy making bread for the family, but I am still fairly new to it. Anyway, when I am making bread, it is turning out very crumbly, meaning that when I cut it from the loaf, it creates A LOT of crumbs and when you pick up the cut piece of bread, it doesn't always stay together. Any ideas on what I am doing wrong?
Thanks!
Christine
__________________ Wife to dh - 18 years!
Mom to dd (16), ds (15), dd, (12), dd (11), ds (9), dd (8), dd (7), ds (5), dd (3), ds (2), and ds (1)
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italianalaskan Forum Rookie
Joined: May 23 2007
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Posted: Oct 13 2008 at 11:10am | IP Logged
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It could be from the yeast. It's very important that when you mix the yeast with water you make sure the yeast is still watery before you add the flour. That's what makes the dow really soft.
This is what I do. I place the required amount of yeast in a bowl, I add water and half teaspoon sugar (the sugar help immensely with the rising. The yeast will start eating the sugar very quickly so, as soon as you see the first bubbles forming, add the flour. You will have a very elastic, soft and sticky dow. But it will make a perfect dow.
Simona
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Oct 13 2008 at 12:03pm | IP Logged
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you need to knead it enough to develop the gluten which is what gives the bread the elasticity.
How you add the yeast depends on the type of yeast and then temperature of the water you use.. different ways work well as long as the yeast is active and has time to become active through the dough.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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stefoodie Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Oct 13 2008 at 1:21pm | IP Logged
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Or... a bit too much flour? I like working with a wetter dough usually...
One tip: do you make it by machine or by hand by the way? Even if you're making it by machine, you may want to hand-knead it a bit afterwards to get a feel for its elasticity and tackiness. I've found that either a wet surface (sprayed with water, and also wet hands) or oiled surface and hands works best for me than a floured surface, because I tend to add more flour than I need to with the latter.
__________________ stef
mom to five
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chrisv664 Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 22 2005 Location: New York
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Posted: Oct 13 2008 at 6:54pm | IP Logged
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I agree with Stef on this. Probably too much flour. I love kneadng by hand because I can usually tell whether the bread is going to be a winner or not by the feel of it during this process. Although in a pinch, I am not opposed to letting my kitchenaid do the work
__________________ Chris
Loving Wife of Dan and Mom to Kate, Jessica, Ben,
Rebecca, Thomas and Hannah
Burning The Candle At Both Ends
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cathochick Forum Rookie
Joined: Nov 13 2006 Location: California
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Posted: Oct 14 2008 at 7:16am | IP Logged
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Get the Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book and read it thoroughly. I had the same problem until I got this book and really learned how to make bread. The two key problems were mentioned in this thread: too much flour and not enough kneading.
__________________ Jessica
Mom to Dom 9, and Joe 5.
The Dominican Bungalow
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cvbmom Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 15 2005 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Oct 14 2008 at 7:22am | IP Logged
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I am leaning toward the not enough kneading. I am machine kneading with with a Magic Mill Assistent which is new to me, by the way. I thought it was too much flour at first, so I knocked down the flour amount. The dough is so sticky, that it is difficult to get out of the bowl and work with (put in loaf pans) after the first rise. I doubt it is the amount of flour.
I will try the Bread Book...my library has it.
Thanks for the suggestions!
God bless,
Christine
__________________ Wife to dh - 18 years!
Mom to dd (16), ds (15), dd, (12), dd (11), ds (9), dd (8), dd (7), ds (5), dd (3), ds (2), and ds (1)
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