Expert: Elyse Grau - 12/23/2009

Question
Since getting great results from a bread machine I decided to get a stand mixer and make multiple loaves. I have not, however, been able to get the dough consistency with the mixer yet. At first, thinking the batch was too small (6qt bowl) I made larger batches but still no joy. Finally I tried a super simple full bowl batch of white bread with everything carefully measured too remove as many variables as possible. Even with mixing 15min and adding a full cup and a half more flour than called for I still get sticky dough. Can't seem to get the classic dough ball.

Answer
Greg:
OK, so your dough is sticky, how is the finished product? What kind of loaf are you looking for? 15 minutes seems a long time to knead in a mixer - 10 is the most you usually need by hand, so 5 minutes in the mixer would probably do it. I have one recipe which I developed specifically to make in a mixer, otherwise I prefer to knead dough by hand. And don't worry about carefully measuring ingredients - that doesn't work with bread. If it is too sticky, you can add more flour. But add too much and you will get a dense dough. I don't have a bread machine, so I'm not sure what kind of bread you get out of it, but I suspect it is like store-bought, very light and airy. A wet dough will give you an airier loaf then a dry one. Over-kneading will also result in a dense loaf, as the bread will tend to fall after rising.

If you are using a recipe made for the bread machine, try switching to a more standard recipe.

Elyse