How to Cook With a Bread Machine

Bread machines make what used to be a labor-intensive endeavor easy.

Cooking with a bread machine automatizes all the kneading and timekeeping involved with bread making. Erase the elbow grease from the bread making equation. All you need to do is layer the ingredients and wait for the aroma of baking bread to waft through your house. After the bread machine beeps to let you know cooking has concluded, pull the pan out of the machine, dump the bread on a wire rack and allow it to cool before slicing. Find a bread recipe in a cookbook from your local library or on your favorite chef's website. Does this Spark an idea?

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Measuring cup
Water
Flour
Yeast
Olive Oil
Honey

Instructions

- 1
  
  Lay out all your ingredients on the counter. This can include water, sugar or honey, olive oil, any spices, raisins or other ingredients that will go in your bread.
- 2
  
  Open the lid of your bread machine and take the pan out. Place the pan on the cabinet.
- 3
  
  Check your bread machine's user manual to see the order in which you should layer the ingredients. Some machines require liquids first, while others need dry ingredients first. If you lost your manual, check the bread machine manufacturer's website, which may have online manuals.
- 4
  
  Layer the ingredients in the bread machine pan in the appropriate order. Many times, water goes first, followed by olive oil, flour, yeast and baking soda. If that's the order your bread machine requires, pour spices and extras such as nuts or raisins on top.
- 5
  
  Place the pan in the bread machine. Close the lid.
- 6
  
  Choose the cooking cycle you want using the bread machine's digital buttons. Most bread machines have settings for light to dark baking, in addition to different sizes and types of loaves. Types can include dough, Italian or sourdough. Check the recipe you're using for guidance on which types to pick.
- 7
  
  Press "Start."