Bread Baking Tips - Best ideas since sliced bread

Problems when you bake homemade bread? Here are some solutions to common problems

1. Bread didn’t rise well or not at all
   
   1. Yeast was not fresh
   2. Liquid was too hot and killed the yeast
   3. Dough was kneaded too much or not enough. Knead only until the dough does not tear easily when stretched.
   4. Oven temperature was too low. To check your oven’s temperature, place an oven thermometer at the center of the oven and set the oven to 350 degrees. Check the temperature indicated on the thermometer after 20 minutes. If it’s not within 5 degrees of 350, you’ll need to adjust your oven’s temperature control
2. Bread is heavy and coarse
   
   1. There’s too much liquid or not enough flour in the dough. When mixing the dough, start with a minimum amount of flour until the dough reaches desired consistency (soft, sticky, stiff, or firm).
   2. Dough was allowed to rise for too long. Proper rising helps the development of the bread texture. Let dough rise in a warm (80 to 85 degree) area.
   3. Oven temperature was too low
3. Bread was dry and crumbly
   
   1. Too much flour was used
   2. Dough was allowed to rise too long
4. Bread is doughy on the bottom or has a slightly gummy texture
   
   1. Bread was underbaked. Test for doneness at the minimum recommended baking time. Bread is done when it’s golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Or insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the loaf. The bread is done when the thermometer reads 200 degrees.
   2. Bread stayed in the pan too long after baking. Remove breads from pans and cool in wire racks. Let breads cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing. Use a serrated knife and a sawing motion when cutting.
5. Loaf sinks in the center
   
   1. Dough rose too long during the second rise time in the pan
6. Bread has large holes
   
   1. Dough was not kneaded enough
   2. Air was not compressed out of the dough while shaping
7. Bread crumbles when cut
   
   1. Too much flower was used.
   2. Dough was kneaded too much or not enough
   3. Dough was allowed to rise too long or not long enough
   4. Oven temperature was too high.