What Is Needed to Make Bread in a Breadmaker?

With a few basic ingredients combined in a breadmaker, you can create a delectable loaf of bread in less than three hours accompanied by a wonderful, tantalizing aroma from the kitchen that can only say "homemade". Start with a classic white bread recipe that calls for water, white bread flour, sugar, salt and yeast, and then advance to more epicurean flavors simply by adding fruits, exotic spices, nuts, cheese and even vegetables such as, pumpkin, spinach or carrots. Some recipes call for ingredients aimed at people with health issues or allergies. There are recipes for holiday and special occasion breads as well.

Significance

Electric breadmakers save a great deal of time when creating a healthy, delicious product. Savings is another factor, considering what a lower quality loaf of bread costs at the supermarket. Easy use allows the baker to combine ingredients at the same time into the breadmaker, shut the lid, push the start button and walk away.

Types

What kinds of bread you can make in your machine only depends on the recipes you follow. For example, 100 percent whole wheat bread calls for honey, molasses and whole wheat flour among the ingredients. Garden Herb bread calls for chives, marjoram, thyme and basil. Maraschino Pecan bread calls for Maraschino cherries, raisins, sunflower seeds, pecans, cinnamon and ginger. Other breads call for applesauce, garlic, or Gruyere cheese.

Time Frame

It takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to bake a loaf of bread in a breadmaker. Recipes are often divided into three different size loaves: small, medium and large. The desired loaf size dictates the amount of ingredients required to create the bread. There are dozens of breadmakers on the market; each offering different features that may affect baking time.

Considerations

Individual tastes and preferences influence what goes into making a loaf of bread with a breadmaker. When following recipes, consistent and balanced ingredients are important to success. Follow directions carefully. The more experience a baker has using a breadmaker, the greater the range of breads can be baked and enjoyed, or given as gifts.

Benefits

Simple ingredients can turn into wonderful loaves of bread, even by the novice baker. With the elimination of manual labor, kneading and numerous bowls and utensils, less than a dozen ingredients will be transformed into an outstanding epicurean loaf of bread for pennies. After the bread is baked, carefully remove the metal container from the breadmaker, flip it over to remove the bread and let it cool on a rack before eating. Spread a little butter or jam on a slice and enjoy.