Role Of Ingredients - Sunbeam BM3500S Bakehouse Instruction Booklet

Role of Ingredients

Yeast
Yeast is actually a microscopic plant. Simply
stated, without yeast, your bread will not
rise. When moistened by a liquid, fed by
sugar and carefully warmed, yeast produces
gases that power the dough to rise. If the
temperature is too cold, the yeast will not be
activated; if it's too warm, it will die. Your
Bakehouse takes care of this worry for you by
maintaining just the right temperature in the
baking chamber at all times.
Some yeasts may require the use of a bread
improver. The Bread Improver will provide
additional gluten to the flour to produce a
better loaf.
Note: We do not recommend the use of fresh
or compressed yeast in your breadmaker.
Sunbeam recommend the use of dry yeast
only. Always ensure it is used well within the
use-by date, as stale yeast will prevent the
bread from rising.
We suggest that a small pocket be made in
the top of the dry mixture to hold the yeast.
This will ensure its activation when in contact
with the liquid and sugar during kneading.
Flour
In order for the bread to rise, the flour has
to have a sufficiently high protein content.
Sunbeam recommend the use of a good
quality plain or bread flour.
Unlike white flour, wheat flour contains bran
and wheatgerm which inhibit rising. Wheat
breads therefore, tend to be heavier in texture
and smaller in size. A lighter larger loaf can
be achieved by combining wheat flour with
white flour for whole wheat bread recipes.
Sugars
Sugars sweeten the bread, brown the crust,
lend tenderness to the texture and supply
the yeast with food. White or brown sugar,
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molasses, maple or golden syrup, honey and
other sweeteners may be used in equivalent
quantities.
Artificial sweeteners can be substituted in
equivalent amounts, however the taste and
texture of your bread will vary.
Liquids
When liquids are mixed with protein in flour,
gluten is formed. Gluten is necessary for the
bread to rise. Most recipes use powdered
milk and water, but other liquids such as
milk and fruit juice can be used. Experiment
with quantities of these liquids to obtain
optimum results. Liquids should be used at
room temperature.
A recipe with too much liquid may cause the
bread to fall during baking while a recipe
with too little liquid will not rise.
Salt
In small amounts, salt adds flavour and
controls yeast action. Too much salt inhibits
rising, so be sure to measure amounts
correctly. Any ordinary table salt may be
used.
Eggs
Eggs are used in some bread recipes, they
provide liquid, assist with the rising and
increase the nutritional value of the bread.
They add extra flavour and are usually used
in the sweeter types of bread.
Fats
Many breads use fats to enhance the flavour
and retain moisture. Typically, we use
margarine in the recipes, softened butter or
oil may be used in equivalent quantities.
If you choose not to add any fat, your bread
may vary in taste and texture.