WHat could be the reasons for my bread to be too dense? It tastes like
it contains too much flour, although I used the amount the recipe
called for. Is it a problem that I didn't sift the flour? I used
regular nonbleached flour to make the bread.

Could it be that I kneaded the bread too much?

Judith

"judith" > wrote in message
om...
> WHat could be the reasons for my bread to be too dense? It tastes like
> it contains too much flour, although I used the amount the recipe
> called for. Is it a problem that I didn't sift the flour? I used
> regular nonbleached flour to make the bread.
>
> Could it be that I kneaded the bread too much?
>
> Judith

Chances are, you used cup measurements which are hopelessly inaccurate. A
cup of flour can weigh anything from about 4ounces to about 5.5 ounces. If
you scooped the flour out of the bag rather than using the stir and level
method, you probably used far too much. Have you a set of kitchen scales?

What was the recipe?

Graham

On 2004-04-06, Vox Humana wrote:
> The amount of flour in a bread recipe should be considered a general
> recommendation. You should only use enough to achieve a workable dough.
> Less is better than too much. Sticky is better than dry. Your bread might

By what magic is this??
My dough is frequently too sticky and wet!
That means it rises all pretty, but as soon as I touch it, it deflates
like a balloon with a slow leak!
I'd in a million years rather have too dry than too wet.

Which brings me to MY question, which is related so I feel okay about
sticking it into this thread.

I just switched from my bulk whole wheat co-op bread flour to North
Dakota Mill Stone-Ground Whole Wheat Flour. And suddenly I'm back to
about 6 months ago (when I started using my bread machine to make dough)
where it's always too wet. I'm spooning it the same way into the same
cup I used with the other flour, using the same recipe except adding
gluten. I don't own a scale, it may be a future expense but for now I
need to do without.

Has anyone used this flour? It seems wery fluffy, I even added several
tablespoons extra and this batch is deflated again.

Can anyone suggest a whole wheat flour that's a bit more forgiving? Are
there any that work okay with a bit more or less water, or do they each
have a certain amount that's just the key?

I threw out the first deflated batch, but now I'm out of flour so this
batch will have to be eaten one way or the other. :/

sl

PS my recipe as it stands is
1 1/4 c water,
1T oil and
1T honey,
3C flour,
3 heaping tsp gluten,
1 1/2 t salt, and
one package Fleischman's Active Dry Yeast.

Obviously I may have to modify it. :/