Since having a bread maker for Christmas (No, it wasn’t the most romantic present I’ve ever had), I have been totally converted to the joy of bread making. That is to say, the joy of measuring out a few ingredients, adding hot water and pressing “start”. Not only does my house smell incredible with the warm scent of freshly baking bread, handy if I ever want to sell, but I am finding myself rather popular among friends.
A loaf of warm bread makes the perfect Thank You gift for a host or hostess or just a “cheer up” gift for a friend. Most bread makers have an “ultra fast” setting to make emergency bread if you’ve run out or unexpected guests show up. In the case of my bread maker, it’s a 58 minute programme for cream cheese and black pepper bread or even ultra fast pesto bread- great as a substitute for garlic bread.
You only have to read Amazon reviews or speak to a bread machine owner to see the glint of Bread Machine Zealot in their eyes. I was persuaded to buy my machine by a dear couple I had known for years. For thirty minutes they told me how much they love their bread machine. One of their reasons was that they wanted their daughter to have a healthy diet and this way, the bread she ate had no E numbers and preservatives in. However, the smell and taste of fresh bread had made them total converts too.
So what are the advantages of owning a bread making machine?
- It goes without saying that fresh bread on the table can pad out a meal and is a delicious addition to lazy weekend breakfasts.
- Using the dough setting, you can make dough for amazing home made pizzas. I have never had leftovers after doing this and everyone wants seconds.
- Also using the dough setting, you can make bread rolls to freeze, and even hot cross buns.
- Most bread makers have a jam making setting. What could be easier? Just add fruit and sugar and go about your day as usual.
- You can pop a cake mix in your bread maker and you will have a perfectly baked cake when you return from your day out.
- You can make sweet bread, such as holiday bread by adding fruit and extra sugar, this makes an ideal gift.
- By adding dried fruit, you can trick your kids into eating one of their five a day.
- If your house in on the market, you are bound to sell it with the smell of bread in the background.
- Once you've mastered the art of slicing, or even bought a slicing guide, (try Lakeland) you may never need to buy a loaf again.
- You can make gluten and dairy free bread for those with intolerances and allergies.
- You can make bread and butter pudding or bread pudding with leftovers.
The disadvantages of a bread machine
- Fresh bread the first day, toast the next, but don’t expect more than two days out of it.
- If you don’t learn to slice it properly or get a slicing guide (try Lakeland) then you won’t fit the slices into the toaster.
- You often get a hole about half an inch deep in every loaf where the dough blade has sat- not every likes the “rear end” slice.
Bread machines are widely available, starting from £36 and rising to around £200. Most large supermarkets and other high street and online retailers have a large selection.
