Question

Could I take a regular bread recipe and make it in a bread machine? 

Thanks 
Jeri Lloyd

Answer

Great Question! 

First, you need to know how many cups of flour your bread machine pan holds. For example, one of my favorite bread recipe calls for 7 1/2 to 8 cups of flour, so I cut the amount of flour in half for my two pound loaf bread machine. Then, reduce the remaining ingredients. Always use bread flour in the recipe and 80 degree water. If the recipe has perishable ingredients such as fluid milk or eggs, do not use the delay cycle for food safety reasons. Consult the owner's manual for the correct way to add ingredients in the bread machine pan. 

Check the dough after it mixes for about five minutes. If it feels dry, add 1-2 extra tablespoons of water. If the dough is sticky, add a few tablespoons of flour until it forms a soft ball around the kneading blade. It may take a few trials; just make sure to jot down your changes. You will soon perfect your favorite recipe and the results will be a warm, beautiful, tasty loaf of bread.