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Farm Kitchen:  Rising Problems with Homemade Bread  |
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wncmtnmama
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
Marilyn
Asheville
NC
25 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 22 2008 : 09:34:38 AM
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I need advice about making my homemade bread.
I've tried 3 times now, all with fail, to make my bread, but I can't get it to rise. I've even purchased "fresher" yeast and still my bread isn't rising. I've been using my kitchenaid mixer to knead and the instructions that came with it say to only knead for 5 minutes, but I've read in my various cookbooks to knead by hand for 10 minutes. Can this be done successfully with a mixer? Oh, and could the problem possibly be that I'm using beer as the liquid ingredient? Could that be causing my problems?
I used to make this bread at home with my mama (20 years ago!)and we kneaded by hand and it was always so delicious and made the house smell incredible.
Thanks for any help or suggestions - Marilyn |
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nashbabe
True Blue Farmgirl
687 Posts
687 Posts |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2008 : 09:57:43 AM
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Hi Marilyn and welcome! I use my kitchenaid all the time for making bread with no problems, although I do do the last of the kneading by hand. I think the yeast would still be suspect if you're getting no rise at all. Maybe if you could post the recipe, we could help you further.
Di |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2008 : 10:29:30 AM
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Marilyn- if the recipe calls for beer then it should be fine. I have never personally made a beer bread before so I don't have much experience with it-
I would suggest you try a different brand of yeast and let your yeast "bloom" in warm water with a tiny bit of sugar for about 15 minutes before adding it to your recipe. Also make sure that where ever you are baking is over 75 degrees or your bread probably won't rise.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and I our our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
Edited by - Alee on Feb 22 2008 10:29:46 AM |
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Canadian farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Lori
Ontario
Canada
482 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2008 : 10:39:41 AM
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Where are you putting the dough to rise? I don't have a great place here for rising, the temperature fluctuates too much, so I switched to a breadmaker instead; I don't bake the bread in it, but make the dough in it and let it rise in there.
I have heard of wrapping your bowl in a nice, warm sweater, or a thick blanket, to keep it warm in your rising place.
Also, does the recipe have enough sugar for the yeast to do its job? Probably does, though, if this is the same recipe your mom used with success.
I make pizza dough with beer and it turns out great, so beer is fine.
Lori |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2008 : 11:34:01 AM
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Sounds like your water may be too hot, killing the yeast. Do you put the water, yeast and sugar in the bowl first and let it sit for a few (maybe 10) minutes? I use my Kitchenaid all the time, so that should be OK... Good luck; nothing like warm bread on a cold day :)
Sharon
Farmgirl Sister #74
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
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MulberryMama
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
Jill
Prospect Heights
IL
USA
37 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2008 : 11:38:14 AM
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If your liquid (Water, Milk, Beer) is too hot, it will kill your yeast. especially if you heat it on the stove or in the microwave. It should be warm but not hot. If it feel warm but not hot to your inside wrist or lower lip, it should be just right.
Liquid should ideally be 110 - 115 Degress F. At 120 Deg.F, most people's hotwater heaters, it will start to kill the yeast.
And wait to add the salt until after you have added some flour. Too much salt in your dissolving yeast will kill the action too.
I buy my dry yeast in the jar (Not the individual packets) and keep it in the refrig. and have rarely ever had a problem with bad yeast.
Good Luck
I wasn't born in a barn, but I was raised in one. |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2008 : 9:10:00 PM
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I keep my thermostat low in the house, so I start the oven early and set the dough to rise on the stovetop to use that extra warmth.
However, I noticed that when I use a recipe that calls for 1 packet of dry active yeast, I don't get any visible rising even after letting the bread sit for twice as long as stated. When I use a recipe that calls for two packets of yeast, the dough puffs up like mad.
So either the room temp or the recipe you are using might affect how much rising you see. Does the bread taste ok when it's done? Mine did even when I was worried about not seeing the kind of rising I expected. |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2008 : 9:42:32 PM
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I have a couple of questions/suggestions. Beer for one...does the recipe call for beer as the liquid. Only time I've used beer in bread is for the quick breads, not a long rising yeast bread. Are you buying active dry or instant yeast? The instant is just that and does not have enough power for the long or repeated rises of some breads. The recipe will tell you which kind to use. Also, what kind of flour are you using...whole wheat takes longer to rise than white flours. Lots of places to point fingers. I first learned about baking bread when I was 8 from my future mother in law....almost 54 years ago. If you're kneading as directed by the KitchenAid book, it will tell you what the dough will look like when it's kneaded enough. Temp in your kitchen will affect rising, as others have said. A slow rise in cooler temps is fine, as long as you account for this and know how the dough will look when it's ready for shaping and the second rise.
Plenty of bakers on this forum to give you the help you need, keep on trying. Nothing like homemade bread.
Ronna |
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wncmtnmama
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
Marilyn
Asheville
NC
25 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 08:14:17 AM
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Wow - away from the computer a few days and I have lots of good mail to read ! Thanks from everyone.
I did get my bread to rise on Saturday - again, I did everything the same EXCEPT I kneaded it by hand this time for 10 minutes (I set my timer) and the bread was wonderful !
I had been using my oven as the place to keep the bread warm and draft free - not on of course, but with a pan underneath that I had poured some boiling water into.
I think the 1st two times I may have had my liquid (Beer) too hot and that it probably killed the yeast. I had heated it over low heat on the stove, but I probably had it too hot - I could stick my finger in it fine, but it may have been too hot for yeast. And yes, I'm using the packets of yeast and not the jarred kind, but I will buy that next and use the tip of keeping the yeast in the fridge.
The bread was FABULOUS ! One whole loaf was gone by the end of dinner and between my husbands late night snack of a BLT with homemade bread and my 4 year old daughter eating 2 pieces with butter on it, the second loaf was gone by lunchtime Sunday (and my daughter doesn't eat any bread except cornbread).
Thanks to all of you for your insight and hints.
Marilyn |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 08:30:47 AM
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Marilyn-
I am so glad that it worked out for you! Can you post the recipe? Please? Because now I am hankering for a piece of your delicious bread, but I think Doug might have a problem with me flying to North Carolina for some bread and butter! LOL
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and I our our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 08:11:01 AM
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Alee,
If you went to Asheville, you'd find lots to see and do beyond eating bread and butter at Marilyn's house. Beautiful area. Plan on staying at least a week :)
Ronna |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 10:52:43 AM
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Ronna- LOL As much as I would love to go- we have to save our pennies for our upcoming move and a quick trip home for Nora's birthday!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
Edited by - Alee on Feb 26 2008 10:56:10 AM |
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wncmtnmama
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
Marilyn
Asheville
NC
25 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 11:00:30 AM
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Okay, here's my mom's recipe for beer bread:
1 pkg yeast
3 cups flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoon salt
1 small potato (diced, boiled and mashed up with a fork)
12 oz can of beer
1 cup grated cheese (optional - I don't always use it)
The last time I made this I only barely heated the beer since I think I was getting it too hot and killing my yeast.
You don't have to add the potato, but I like it because it seems to add a "moistness" to the bread and it smells like heaven when it's baking.
I bake it at 350 degrees, and I start checkiing on it after 30 minutes - some times my oven gets an attitude and decides to do things it's own way, so I have to check on it.
Hope those of you who try this will enjoy it. |
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nashbabe
True Blue Farmgirl
687 Posts
687 Posts |
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Canadian farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Lori
Ontario
Canada
482 Posts |
Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 06:52:30 AM
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I'm going to try your recipe, using my breadmaker on the dough setting, then finish it in the oven. That is, if I can convince DH to part with a bottle of beer for cooking...
Lori |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 08:13:58 AM
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Oooo! That sounds yummy! I will try it this weekend!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Farm Kitchen: Rising Problems with Homemade Bread |
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Rising Problems with Homemade Bread
