Wheat Wrote WHAT?!Whatever Is On My Mind – Links for things I use: InMySmall Kitchen to EnjoyTheMaking |
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No affiliate links in this entry.
Note: Sample Loaves were egg-washed to enhance appearance
update: 2026-Jan-29
plans to add my photos when time allows.
TIPLET: Question: My machine shows size choices of 500g i 750g i 1000g
how do I know which size to choose fro recipes choices of 1 lb, 1.5 lb, and 2 lb.
RULE OF THUMB:
keep in mind that the amount of flour that best suits a particular size is a range,
Use the machine size selection closest tot he amount suggested in your recipe of choice.
I.E. 750 grams is approximately 1.65 lbs.
Recommended Bread Making References
No Fuss Bread Machine Cook Book. The
Anderson, Michelle
(Paperback copyright 2016)
See page 227 for conversion start points
https://amzn.to/4pGp8uk
–
Bread Lover’s Bread Machine Cookbook, The
Hensperger, Beth (Paperback copyright 2000)
See page 18 for conversion start points
https://amzn.to/3NOfys7
Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners, The
Brooks, Stewart (Kindle copyright 2004)
https://amzn.to/3NNnIAZ
Convert not necessary – All recipes contain Imperial & Metric
Rewrite in progress. Thank you for your patience.
Goldilocks Notes: This tiplet applies to ALL home bread machines.
– If your dough is too wet, it will often result in a “collapsed” (concave) Top Often with spots of raw or wet dough.
Short Explanation: too much liquid creates larger weak steam pockets during the baking process. When as the bread cools and the steam evaporated, the top is no longer supported and so collapses.
The other issue with over hydration is spots or gobs raw uncooked dough throughout. Sometimes simple longer bake times can solve the problem.
– If your dough is too dry, it will often result in failure to rise, crumbly messes, and in a best case scenario, something that may be possible to use for croutons, or bread crumbs. Worst case scenario: brick suitable for door stops.
– In the third image, “Just Right – Almost
” The hydration looks good, but the sides have not been “scraped” down or back into the dough. This may/often result in “white flour” spots on your bread. Not the end of the world, but easily avoided.
-Yes, sometimes you do have to open the top. The trick to opening is to (a) open as early in the process as possible, and since the touch touch test is best done just after the first (rather brief) Mix & Rest – easily solved.
-The second trick is to CLOSE the lid if your are doing something that takes longer, like removing a paddle, or adding a flavoring swirl. The lid should only be open long enough to remove or replace the pan.
-When the paddle is removed, to compensate for the possible loss of heat, I do leave it in the machine on the warm cycle longer than usual.
Your choice, Too Wet-Collapses, Too Dry-Doorstops, or Cut Me A Slice, causes it’s “just right”
Image courtesy of the Secura manual for MBF-016.
Needs to be combined with: Bread Dense or Dry or Just Right
https://wheatcarr.com/2025/01/20/bread-too-dense/
Note I have no affiliation of any type other than Butterfly Meadow is on my personal “worth considering” list.
The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginner s:
Note: Affiliate and other links open in a new tab.
Caveat Lector: My blog reviews include information found in the (mostly Amazon) on lines sales data, my personal experience, and sometimes responses to comments/complaints posted elsewhere.
NOTE: This review is based on the KINDLE version.
The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners…
Easy-to-Follow Recipes for a Perfect Loaf Every Time. Step-By-Step Baking Guide with Simple, Healthy, Whole Grain, and Gluten-Free Options.
by Stewart Brooks (Author)
Brief Review: It was pleasantly surprising to see just how the content lived up to the hype. For the last week or two we borrowed this book thru Kindle Unlimited. Today (2025/01/01) the Kindle version was on sale for $3.99. We now own the Kindle Version. This is the first bread machine cookbook I have added to my library in more than 20 years. I was planning to buy at full price as soon as budget allowed – so yeah today I am a happy girl – spent my entire affiliate earning for the past 6 months on a $3.99 plus tax book.
DRAFT Review Outline: last update 2025-Dec-15 2026-Jan-01
The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners Pro:
– Recipe Sizes for 1#, 1.5# & 2#
– Recipe Ingredients: Most are readily available either thru Amazon or your local grocery store.
– KBS & Neretva bread machine friendly order of ingredients “So far”
– Instructions: although a bit basic, more than enough to answer maybe 95% of the average to adventurous beginner questions. (unlike so many that “assume” the reader has bread baking experience) Easy-to-Follow Recipes for a Perfect Loaf Every Time. Step-By-Step Baking Guide with Simple, Healthy, Whole Grain, and Gluten-Free Options.
by Stewart Brooks (Author)
Brief Review: It was pleasantly surprising to see just how the content lived up to the hype.
DRAFT Review Outline: last update 2025-Dec-15 2026-Jan-01
Pro:
– Recipe Sizes for 1#, 1.5# & 2# most if not all (sometimes not applicable)
– Recipe Ingredients: Most are readily available either thru Amazon or your local grocery store.
– KBS/Keepeez/Neretva & many others friendly order of ingredients “So far”
– Instructions: although a bit basic, more than enough to answer maybe 95% of the average to adventurous beginner questions. (unlike so many that “assume” the reader has bread baking experience)
– ALL recipes show both imperial and metric quantity
– Photos of “types” for most if not all “menu” selections
– Photos of at least one or two of the recipes in each of those sections.
Added: Has a number of recipes that use a variety of speciality flours – looking forwarded to the adventure.
The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners Con:
– Menu Cycle is not as obvious as might be needed by some, it is mentioned in the brief instructions – not as a “banner” as in the KBS guides.
The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners
Thoughts:
Not really a con, so just a note. This book is bread recipes only, so those looking for Jam, Yogurt, Sticky Rice and other odd menu cycles will not find help in this book.
Added 2026-Jan-06: The instructions for Sourdough are easily misunderstood and at the same time some the best, if brief instruction for a start to finish sourdough adventure!
Based on the recipe I have used over the years,
Added 2026-08-Jan: Amazon Review “no apples in apple strudel recipe pg. 67
incorrect This review is based on the KINDLE version.
CHOPPED FRESH APPLES 1 cup (125g) 1 ½ cups (188g) 2 cups (250g)
Added 2026-Jan-07:Sourdough Clarification: DRAFT
I can agree that the amount of starter may not be obvious. The TWELVE Sourdough recipes are NOT treated as a dump and go process. Each Sourdough recipe is a two part process where first you make the starter with your choice of flour and then you use that starter with the “other ingredients” on baking day.
Based on my “real world” experience both inside and outside the box, the recipe ingredients either matches my notes over the years for the flours I have used, and look right for the specialty flour(s).
Added 2026-Feb-03
If you already have a starter “ready to go” the ratio in the book seems to match mine over the years.
REPLACE
1 cup flour & 1 Tablespoon of liquid
With ONE (1) Cup Starter.
Product details – price subject to change Last checked 2025-Dec-16
The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners:
Author: Stewart Brooks
Publisher: Independent
Kindle List: $18.99 List
Kindle Unlimited: Free
Kindle File: 8.9mb
Amazon ASIN: B0DL374XGJ
Published: October 25, 2024
Language: English
Paperback: 79 pages
Amazon List: $18.99
ISBN-13: 979-8332320774
Item Weight: 9.3 ounces
Dimensions: 8.5x 0.18×11 inches