Slow cooker bread!!
Yay I did it,this post makes me proud, I also foolishly tweeted and instagrammed the bread making project as it happened. During that morning, I regretted doing it as I thought it would be a total disaster, a complete flop!!
But hey, I'm honest and wanted to catalogue the attempt both good or bad, it would have been an amusing post if it had had been a flat pancake or an exploding slow cooker!!!
So are you up for a challenge? I bet you can make it better as I just hurriedly chucked the dough in without any shaping expecting catastrophe!
Its a strange feeling waiting to see if something will work especially as I usually google and pour over my own recipe methods to get something right for the blog.
Best of all I did not have to find a warm place to let the bread rise, the slow cooker took over that part too. oh and not to mention no hot kitchen from the oven!
I chose to make a Granary loaf, its a recipe I use from my teens, it was in our school recipe book, which is simplistic.
1lb (500g) Hovis Granary flour, (** US Conversion see below)
1 tsp salt
7g dried yeast sachet, all above mixed together,
1 tsp of honey or sugar.
I do use fresh yeast if I can talk Sainsbury's into selling or giving me fresh yeast.
1lb (500g) Hovis Granary flour, (** US Conversion see below)
1 tsp salt
7g dried yeast sachet, all above mixed together,
1 tsp of honey or sugar.
I do use fresh yeast if I can talk Sainsbury's into selling or giving me fresh yeast.
Add in 300-325 ml of hand hot water,to make a workable dough and knead vigorously for at least 10 minutes. Chris did this as my broken finger means I have to wear rubber gloves to do any prep and it would have tasted pretty poor!
For US readers 1lb of bread flour is 4 cups
For liquid measurement 1 cup US is 240ml
7 grams (0.25 oz) is approximately 2 1/4 US tsp but you probaly have the equivalent sachets for yeast for a 1lb loaf.
For US readers 1lb of bread flour is 4 cups
For liquid measurement 1 cup US is 240ml
7 grams (0.25 oz) is approximately 2 1/4 US tsp but you probaly have the equivalent sachets for yeast for a 1lb loaf.
I doubled above recipe to make two 1lb bread portions, one for expected stand in if the first failed,or I burnt it. I fully intend to try different breads now, larger loaves,rolls, soda bread even. I am most excited by this and fully intend to keep making it this way.
The first one I cooked for two hours the second cooked faster, I think as the slow cooker was already hot.
95 minutes on high to cook in fact I've not browned this one as it looked golden enough for me.You may want a darker crust than I like.
The first went under the grill when it came out to brown up, the second I did not brown at all!
I used a Judge 5 litre slow cooker the one I have been reviewing.
You can win a Judge slow cooker too
http://giventodistractingothers.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/judge-slow-cooker-giveaway.html
I cannot see why any size slow cooker would not work (just ensure its big enough as the dough will double).
So the taste test, its amazingly good,as it should taste, the crust is softer more like a French loaf, or a dinner roll.
The bread is not too heavy, and very moist.
I deem it perfect....phew!!
OK I will attempt to recap as I tend to waffle, please note I have no real definite method yet, its going to be a case of tweaking, checking the bread often and making a note of time cooked, bearing in mind different slow cookers, brands and sizes may take shorter or longer. Also different breads will have an effect I imagine, I expect white bread will be quicker.
Make your usual bread dough.
Line the slow cooker with parchment or greaseproof paper. Cut to your slow cooker size roughly coming slightly up the edges.
Place dough into the slow cooker.
Turn on high and add the lid.
Check after 1 hour.
Then I set a timer for 30 minutes more (actually pressed the loaf after 1 hour 20, it seemed spongy still.
Another 30 minutes if needed and then I carefully removed bread from the slow cooker.
This is tricky be careful as the slow cooker dish is hot,the bread slides well!!
Turn the loaf over, it should be golden brown.
I use the normal method to check if cooked, I tapped it and it should make a hollow sound.
Place bread under a preheated grill if you desire a browner looking crust. It turns very quickly.
If cooked place on a cooling rack and leave to cool.
Good luck and hopefully it has worked for you, please let me know how it turns out!
OK I will attempt to recap as I tend to waffle, please note I have no real definite method yet, its going to be a case of tweaking, checking the bread often and making a note of time cooked, bearing in mind different slow cookers, brands and sizes may take shorter or longer. Also different breads will have an effect I imagine, I expect white bread will be quicker.
Make your usual bread dough.
Line the slow cooker with parchment or greaseproof paper. Cut to your slow cooker size roughly coming slightly up the edges.
Place dough into the slow cooker.
Turn on high and add the lid.
Check after 1 hour.
Then I set a timer for 30 minutes more (actually pressed the loaf after 1 hour 20, it seemed spongy still.
Another 30 minutes if needed and then I carefully removed bread from the slow cooker.
This is tricky be careful as the slow cooker dish is hot,the bread slides well!!
Turn the loaf over, it should be golden brown.
I use the normal method to check if cooked, I tapped it and it should make a hollow sound.
Place bread under a preheated grill if you desire a browner looking crust. It turns very quickly.
If cooked place on a cooling rack and leave to cool.
Good luck and hopefully it has worked for you, please let me know how it turns out!
Well done, I'm glad it worked out! Thanks for sharing the recipe, I'll be trying this out in my slow cooker now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping me company on Twitter while I waited,good luck with it!
DeleteBrilliant, it looks delicious and sounds like a real success.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane,still can't believe it worked first go. But so glad it did.
DeleteActually eaten far too much and feel stuffed.
Looks fab, I think I'll have to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteThank you,good luck with it!
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ReplyDeleteSo glad it worked first time! Looks delish x
ReplyDeletehttp://alices-wonderland93.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks
DeleteWouldnt have thought this was possible, will give it a go
ReplyDeleteI was the same,just saw a post for an artisan bread loaf. They did the rising first, but I thought I would risk it. Thanks,hope you try it and you have the same success.
Deleteits amazing what you can do, I make yoghurt in my slow cooker, it works brilliantly, and I cn make 2 litres at a time. Never thought to try bread though, well worth trying
ReplyDeleteOoh I have heard you can do yogurt in it, I have made puddings and rice pudding. I want to try cakes now,possibly overstretching myself. Just so amazed it worked out!
DeleteI would never have thought to make bread in my slow cooker - I'm strictly a chilli & stew kind of girl so far. Tempted to try rice pudding as that always seems to take forever in the real oven.
ReplyDeleteHope you saw the pulled beef chilli then
Deleteoh wow, that's amazing - who would think that a slow cooker would make bread faster than a breadmaker! I'm so going to try this!
ReplyDeleteI was amazed,and yes never thought about time being faster!
DeleteNothing better than smelling home baked bread! Must give this a try! Thanks for sharing as always!
ReplyDeleteAgreed love the smell.Thank you,let me know how it turns out!
DeleteI have had a slow cooker sitting in my kitchen cupboard for years and never use it, but I will now, I had no idea I could make bread in it!
ReplyDeleteOoh you should get it out and use,there are a few recipes dotted about the site for slow cookers. Just click on the slow cooker tag!
DeleteMust say a great name for commenting on a bread post ;)
Wow! Must give this a go! I use my slow cooker for lots of things but have never tried bread! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteIts so cool,will blow your mind!
DeleteI haven't baked in ages and you've just inspired me! thanks x
ReplyDeleteAww that is good, thanks for the comment!
DeleteSlower cookers are so useful I wouldnt be without mine, especially when Im working.
ReplyDeleteYes they are a complete time saver, bar wanting a new pressure cooker and a Kitchenaid, my slow cooker is my 'must have' a curry is in it now.
DeleteWhat a great idea and without having to buy a breadmaker.
ReplyDeleteIts so cool to have bread without another gadget.
DeleteI'm just getting into making bread, great recipe x
ReplyDeleteThanks x
DeleteLooks lovely,never knew baking bread worked in a slow cooker,would love to try it
ReplyDeleteIt was scary,fun and finally so satisfying!
DeleteWow, that's really nice looking bread. Thanks so much for your inspirational post. I really want to give this a go.
ReplyDeleteGo for it Maya,its so easy!
DeleteI tried this but was a bit of a fail for me. Everything went ok and it can out looking good but was not airy and quite dense. I think it was because I used cold water and was having trouble kneading the dough so next time I'll get it right x
ReplyDeleteAww sorry to hear that Jennie,the water has to be hot as hot as you can comfortably put your hand in. It has to activate the yeast and the gluten in the flour needs it to stretch!! The bread is denser than say a shop bought loaf. I hope you have another go.
DeleteThank you, I just made mine and it turned out perfect x
ReplyDeleteOoh yes!! So pleased to hear this. Thanks for coming back to tell me! xx
Deletewow i will defo be giving this a try!!
ReplyDeleteOh good, hope you let me know.
DeleteA great bread recipe thanks - as the weather is not too good this weekend I am going to bake some bread to go with my pan of homemade broth!
ReplyDeleteNo problems, if you have any questions just shout.
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