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Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
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Subject Topic: Crumbly homemade bread - What went wrong Post ReplyPost New Topic
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cvbmom
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Posted: Oct 13 2008 at 7:09am | IP Logged Quote cvbmom

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

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italianalaskan
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Posted: Oct 13 2008 at 11:10am | IP Logged Quote italianalaskan

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.

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JodieLyn
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Posted: Oct 13 2008 at 12:03pm | IP Logged Quote JodieLyn

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.

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stefoodie
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Posted: Oct 13 2008 at 1:21pm | IP Logged Quote stefoodie

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.

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chrisv664
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Posted: Oct 13 2008 at 6:54pm | IP Logged Quote chrisv664

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

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cathochick
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Posted: Oct 14 2008 at 7:16am | IP Logged Quote cathochick

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.

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cvbmom
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Posted: Oct 14 2008 at 7:22am | IP Logged Quote cvbmom

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

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