12 Bread Baking Tips By Pro Bakers

Bread is inarguably one of the most versatile staple foods in the world. There is hardly a culture or region on earth that doesn't add bread to their regular diet. This delicious food can be enjoyed in many ways. Learning how to make bread is a great idea, as the skill can be helpful at home and in a commercial setting. In this article, you will find some pro bread baking tips for making delicious bread.

12 Essential Bread Baking Tips

Here are some professional bread baking tips you should follow to make perfect loaves:

1. Use the Right Yeast

If you've ever baked anything before, you would know that the significant difference between bread and regular cake is the leavening agent. While cakes and many other pastries only need baking powder, bread needs fresh yeast, which gives it that airy texture. Yeast feeds on the sugar in the bread flour, slowly releasing carbon dioxide into the mixture, prompting dough rise. You can opt for instant yeast if you don't want to wait too long for the bread to rise or want to save time. Most professional bakers use dry yeast to get the rising dough.

2. Store Your Yeast Properly

Keep in mind that yeast is unlike any other baking ingredient. It is a living organism that needs to be alive when you use it. If you don't store it well, it will die, preventing your homemade bread from rising. Always put your yeast in an airtight container to prevent moisture from seeping. Consider placing it in your refrigerator, especially in warmer climates. Alternatively, you can put it in your pantry if your environment is cooler or during winter. Make sure you test the yeast and confirm that it is foamy and smells like homemade bread before you add it to your dough. 

3. Treat Salt with Care

Every baker knows that a pinch of salt can add flavor and influence the texture of your bread. However, adding too much salt or using the wrong kind may ruin your recipe. Buy baking salt that is smooth and dissolves with ease when you add it to water. If you must use regular table salt, ensure it completely dissolves in liquid before you add it while kneading the bread dough. The best type of salt for baking is non-iodized sea salt with fine textures and smaller grains than regular salt.

4. Take Your Time

If you want the best texture, you can't rush the bread baking process. After kneading the dough and adding the yeast, cover it and keep it in a dark, humid place for one to three hours before tossing it in the baking tray and oven. Depending on the moisture and optimal temperature of the bread dough, leaving it to rise can double the size. Time is also necessary to ensure that the flavors of the ingredients accumulate properly in the bread. If you rush and put the mix in the oven too soon, the bread may become flat. 

5. Try Different Flours

The type of flour you use for your bread also matters significantly. Contrary to popular opinion, not all flour is the same, and the one you choose should depend on the texture and flavor you want to achieve. For example, if you want a flavorful and dense loaf, consider using whole-grain bread flour. However, the more common option, all-purpose flour, should be your go-to when you want a lighter, more airy loaf of bread. Most commercially sold breads are made with self-rising all-purpose flour.

6. Measure Carefully

It is not enough to learn the bread making recipe without learning measurement precision for your mixing bowl. A small mistake in measurement can dramatically affect the texture, taste, and flavor of your white or whole wheat bread. You must buy measuring cups, kitchen scales, and spoons to always get the exact measurement. Even professional bakers with years of experience use measuring instruments to ensure precision, as this is one of the best tips for making good bread.

7. Consider Vitamin C

When you think of ingredients for bread, the standard options that come to mind are flour, sugar, butter, and yeast. However, some bread bakers add vitamin C to the dough for a more defined texture. This strengthens the gluten, allowing the homemade bread to rise even more than it would have without the vitamin C. Crush a few vitamin C tablets to smooth power, mix it with a bit of liquid, and add it to the bread flour. Alternatively, you can buy powdered ascorbic acid.

8. Practice Makes Perfect

You don't need to start baking for an entire bakery immediately after you learn how to do it. Start small and practice consistently until you perfect the skill. Explore different techniques and recipes until you find your signature style. Don't just stick to making one kind of bread, especially if you want to bake commercially. The most common types of bread you should learn to make are white bread, rye bread, ciabatta, sourdough bread, whole wheat bread, multigrain bread, and pumpernickel bread.

9. Don’t Prove for Too Long

We've already established the importance of leaving your dough to rise for a long time after adding yeast. This process is known as proving. While it is a vital part of bread baking, you should always stick to the recommended time. If you prove for too long before putting it in the baking tray, the bread might collapse in the oven because it will become too airy. This is one of the most important tips for baking bread. 

10. Storage

After removing your bread from the oven, store it properly. Keeping it in a humid environment might lead to excessive moisture. Allow it to cool down, then place it in a paper bag or bread box. Do not store bread in the refrigerator. Instead, store it in an environment at room temperature. Keeping bread in the fridge or freezer can make it stale quickly.

11. Toppings

Bread doesn't always have to be plain. Add toppings to the dough for extra flavor or a different texture. Learn how to add these toppings without compromising the integrity of the dough. Popular bread toppings include nuts, dried fruits, sardines, and cheese. You must know when to add these toppings to get the best result.

12. Appreciation

Appreciating the learning process is one of the most vital bread making tips for a good reason. Baking is a skill that takes time and effort to learn. To enjoy the process, you must learn to appreciate it. Start baking smaller portions with your hands before buying the bread machine to increase your appreciation for the process.

Conclusion

The tips for making good bread in this article are all important for creating the perfect loaf. Learn to trust the process and practice as much as possible until you perfect your skills.