Cold weather Baking. A couple of tips.

[achookwoman]

Even though the house is warm, the bread seems to know it is cold outside.

I have found that kneading the dough at 37 degrees gives it a bit of a boost.

Also, with the bread baked in the mini slow cooker, heat the bowl in a sink of hot water prior to placing the dough in. Place the dough in the bowl.   Leave in the sink until the dough has risen to at least 1/2 way up the pot.

[achookwoman]

This one rose 2/3 before I placed it in the cooker.

[judydawn]

Thanks for all your bread making tips Chookie.

[Cornish Cream]

Some very useful tips there Chookie,Thank you

[Kimmyh]

Also chookie, heat the water to 37c first, then add yeast and rest of ingredients. Helps kick start that warm feeling!

[Katiej]

I made rolls today and a pull-apart. It was quite cold here, so I placed the dough in a mixing bowl, covered it in glad wrap and then wrapped it up in a blanket. That seemed to work well.

[achookwoman]

Katie and Kimmyh, good ideas here.
I think some of the problem is the cool temperature of the flour in the Winter.

[thermilover]

Thanks Chookie, Kimmy and Katie for the tips...
I made the no fuss rolls last weekend, for proofing,  I heated the oven at 175 deg for 20sec and placed my covered bowl in it..
Fortunately it rose to double and was really nice, but will surely try your tips for even colder days..

[achookwoman]

Good Thermilover.  Love to see people making their own bread. Cheaper and no fillers and preservatives. Did you know that bought bread has a very high percentage of water. Cheaper than flour.

[bogie1]

Hi Chookie, I'm a bit thick today - what are you doing with the slow cooker, just letting it rise in there until double or actually cooking it?  I have a small slow cooker that I don't use anymore, so could easily prove my dough in there.  Jenny

[achookwoman]

Bogie, when the weather is cold I prove it in the crock pot in  warm water in the sink. Then bake it for 1 hour 15 minutes on high.
During the Summer months I just bake it without proving it. You do get a bigger loaf if you prove it first.  It makes a cute little loaf and lasts us 2 days. Costs 50 cents.
Have a go.

[achookwoman]

[judydawn]

Here's Chookie's recipe  http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=14879.0

[achookwoman]

Thanks Judy.

[Cuilidh]

I know I have read somewhere that you can also proof / proove? your bread in the varoma, but I cannot find the reference at the moment regarding heat and time.  I was sure I had noted it down, too.