I’ve but to fall sufferer to the sourdough craze that appears to comb by my pal group and social media feeds each couple of years. I like bread, and the thought of shaping my very own loaf, placing it to mattress in a cute little proofing basket, and scoring lovely patterns into its doughy high sounds so romantic. However as my thirsty houseplants can attest, I’m not the best at routine upkeep. I don’t belief myself to maintain a starter alive or keep in mind to knead dough in between proofs. So when my husband recommended buying a bread machine, I ought to have jumped on board shortly. I dragged my ft a bit, complaining about the fee and the misplaced counter house. However reader, I’m right here to admit that I used to be improper. I’ve fallen head over heels in love with my bread machine, the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, which additionally occurs to be a Critical Eats winner.
Its Options Make It Stand Out
I needed a bread machine that might make quite a lot of loaves like multigrain and cinnamon raisin, however my husband and I additionally knew we’d be utilizing it primarily for sandwich loaves. We additionally prioritized simple cleanup, along with loaf measurement. This mannequin bakes a two-pound loaf, which looks as if lots for a small family till you uncover that each your one-year-old and your yellow lab are bonkers for contemporary bread. I bake a few loaf every week, principally utilizing the recipe guide included with the machine, which affords over 50 recipes of varied types. There are even directions for making different gadgets like pizza dough, jam, and sure, expensive reader, even sourdough starter. (I’ll but succumb to its siren name.)
There are just a few options that make the Zojirushi Virtuoso significantly superior. One is the two-paddled pan, which ensures the substances are totally combined throughout the kneading course of. I’ve but to discover a stray little bit of unincorporated flour, or in any other case, after baking. The “Crust Management” setting allows you to select a light-weight, medium, or darkish crust in your loaf—what customization! And, lastly, the bigger, rectangular pan is good for a sandwich-shaped loaf, making it tremendous simple for slicing and getting ready sandwiches. Many different bread machine pans are taller, and whereas they could take up much less actual property in your counter, that makes sandwiches a bit of awkward.
The Bread Is Scrumptious
Critical Eats / Jenna Lanoue
The honey bread from the included recipe guide has been a family favourite. It’s gentle and fluffy, and though it’s not the best to slice into sandwich bread, two thick items will take advantage of deliciously nostalgic PB&J you’ve ever had. The price of this specific recipe breaks all the way down to about $2.50, relying on the place you supply your substances. I bought a 10-pound bag of bread flour from Costco, however all the opposite substances are simply from the grocery retailer, and it’s so simple as water, bread flour, honey, salt, unsalted butter, and rapid-rise yeast. Whereas this has been our default recipe, I additionally extremely advocate the usual white bread, cinnamon raisin, and pizza dough recipes, which make common appearances in my residence.
It Makes It Straightforward to Bake Bread on a Whim
Critical Eats / Will Dickey
I like to recommend utilizing a kitchen scale for measuring out substances, however the Zojirushi recipe guide contains each weight and quantity so you may select your individual journey. A lot of the recipes are so simple as including substances to the pan within the order they’re listed, tapping a few buttons, and hitting begin. In 5 minutes (I timed it), I can pull collectively the substances and have a loaf going. Speedy recipes might be baked and able to eat in below three hours, however most others take round three and a half.
Having a bread machine has additionally confirmed helpful in conditions like making day-of dinner plans, or after I want a housewarming or get-well-soon reward for a pal. As a result of the prep time is so brief and the baking course of is generally hands-off, it’s simple to throw the substances collectively shortly and get one thing began. It additionally doesn’t add a lot residual warmth to the kitchen, despite the fact that I’ve used it within the hotter months in a house with out air con (thanks, New England). The aroma of contemporary bread, nonetheless, does add an incalculable quantity of pleasure. And in case you occur to show that contemporary bread into French toast the following morning, you run the danger of incandescent happiness.
A Couple of Useful Suggestions When Utilizing a Bread Machine
Critical Eats / Will Dickey
Though I’ve baked profitable loaves with out this step, most recipes counsel pausing the rising course of to punch down the dough in order that it doesn’t develop too giant for the machine. I’ve solely had one loaf develop so tall that it nudged the lid of the machine whereas baking, however whereas it was not fairly as excellent on high, it was nonetheless baked by and scrumptious.
Cleanup is as simple as gently washing the baking pan with heat soapy water. Nevertheless, as a result of dough tends to get baked into the removable paddles on the underside, I like to recommend soaking the pan in heat water to loosen the gunk first.
FAQs
Who’s a bread machine for?
A bread machine is nice for bread-baking inexperienced persons, individuals who need their properties to odor like contemporary bread, or anybody who likes the thought of contemporary bread however would possibly choose a barely extra hands-off strategy than a hand-crafted recipe.
How does a bread machine work?
A bread machine is basically a miniature oven that homes a baking pan with rotating kneading paddles affixed to the underside. The machine mixes and kneads the dough throughout the pan, proofs the dough at a low warmth setting, after which will increase the temperature to bake it. The heating aspect wraps across the within the machine in addition to the lid to create a fair bake and brown the highest of the loaf.
Is it value it to make use of a bread machine?
A bread machine just like the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus is a big funding up entrance, however most loaves will value much less to make than buying store-bought bread. For those who make bread constantly at residence, over time it will assist offset the price of the machine.
How lengthy does bread made in a bread machine final?
For those who haven’t devoured the complete loaf the second it comes out of the machine, the bread will stay contemporary for a number of days if stored in a sealed container. Take a look at our evaluation of the best bread boxes, in addition to concepts for using up leftover bread in case you’re nervous about having extra.
Why We’re the Consultants
- Jenna Lanoue is a contributing author at Critical Eats, a lifelong pastime baker, and carb fanatic who’s at all times testing new recipes and forcing them on her family and friends.
- She has owned her Zojirushi bread maker for months now and has made at the least one loaf per week with no plans of slowing down.
- We reviewed bread machines and located the Zojirushi Virtuoso was by and much the perfect one.
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