Making bread requires skill and plenty of practice. The process is quite lengthy, starting from mixing the ingredients, kneading the dough, proofing, shaping, and finally baking. Each step must be done correctly, as even a small mistake can lead to results that fall short of expectations. In this article, we will discuss baking mistakes that can cause bread to fail.
Understanding the Baking Process in Bread Making
Baking is the process of cooking bread dough using heat from an oven. In this process, the fermented dough undergoes changes in texture and shape due to exposure to high temperatures, typically between 175°C and 220°C, depending on the type of bread being made.
High temperatures help trapped gases in the dough expand, making the bread airy and light. Additionally, the oven’s heat causes the outer part of the dough to dry out and turn golden or brown, forming a crispy crust.
In the end, this process transforms soft, sticky dough into a fully baked loaf with a crunchy exterior and a soft interior.
Baking Mistakes to Avoid When Making Bread
Here are some common mistakes that can cause bread to turn out less than ideal:
Sprinkling Flour on Wet Dough
Many bakers make this mistake, especially when the dough feels too sticky. However, adding flour to the dough can make it dry. As a result, the bread becomes hard and less fluffy.
Correct approach : Bread dough needs moisture to rise properly. Instead of adding flour, brush a little milk or spray a bit of water over the dough before baking to retain moisture.
Incorrect Oven Temperature
Incorrect oven temperature can cause issues with the bread. A temperature that’s too low may leave the bread undercooked, while a temperature that’s too high can burn the bottom and crust. Remember, the internal oven thermostat can sometimes be inaccurate as it only measures the temperature where the thermometer is placed.
Correct approach : Use an oven thermometer to confirm the actual oven temperature and bake the bread according to the recipe’s specified temperature.
Not Preheating the Oven Before Adding Dough
If you put the dough in the oven before preheating it, the yeast won’t activate optimally. This reduces the amount of gas produced, so the dough doesn’t rise well and can turn out dense. Additionally, the distinctive aroma of fresh bread may not develop fully.
Correct approach : Preheat the oven and ensure it reaches the proper temperature before putting in the dough.
Removing Bread from the Oven Too Soon
Seeing the bread’s surface turn brown might make you think it’s done and prompt you to remove it from the oven immediately. While not entirely wrong, baking it a little longer until the crust is golden-brown activates the Maillard reaction, which results in richly flavored and delicious bread.
The Maillard reaction is a chemical process that occurs between amino acids (protein components) and sugars when food is heated to high temperatures. This reaction creates the brown color on the surface of food and enhances its aroma and flavor.
Correct approach : Bake the bread until the crust is golden brown and has a tempting aroma, or follow the recipe instructions.
Not Cooling the Bread After Baking
Freshly baked bread will still contain some moisture. Slicing the bread while it’s hot can make the interior sticky.
Correct approach : Remove the bread from the pan once it’s out of the oven, and let it cool on a cooling rack. This cooling process allows moisture in the bread to settle, making the texture more stable and ideal for slicing.
In addition to the five mistakes mentioned above, choosing the right flour can also affect the success of your bread. As we know, flour varies in protein content, which influences the bread’s elasticity once it comes out of the oven.
If you use low-protein flour, the bread may turn out dense and lack air pockets. Therefore, for the best results, use high-protein flour. We recommend the KANTIL brand, trusted by many bakers, which has proven to produce bread that is soft, fluffy, and delicious.(pj/mkt)
Referensi:
https://www.cnet.com/health/top-bread-baking-mistakes
/https://www.myrecipes.com/how-to/how-to-avoid-the-most-common-bread-baking-mistakes
https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2021/sep/food-safety-do-you-really-need-to-preheat-your-oven/#:~:text=If%20you%20skip%20this%20step,the%20oven%20is%20fully%20preheated.