To use your bread machine for kneading dough without baking, you simply select the "dough only" setting.
Bread machines are versatile kitchen appliances capable of more than just baking a complete loaf. One of their most useful functions is the ability to automate the often time-consuming and labor-intensive process of kneading dough. This is ideal for preparing doughs for pizzas, rolls, pastries, or even loaves you prefer to shape and bake in a conventional oven.
Using the "Dough Only" Setting
As highlighted by many bread machine guides:
Set the bread machine to the "dough only" setting. The machine will combine the ingredients, knead the dough, and give it its first rise. When the bread machine beeps, it means the dough is ready to shape.
This specific program is designed to handle the initial stages of bread making: mixing, kneading, and the crucial first fermentation (or rise).
Step-by-Step Guide
Using the dough cycle is straightforward:
- Add Ingredients: Following your specific recipe, add ingredients to the bread machine pan. Typically, liquids go in first, followed by dry ingredients, and yeast is often placed last on top. Always check your machine's manual for the recommended order.
- Select "Dough" Cycle: Close the lid and select the "dough only" program from your machine's menu. This cycle usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, including kneading and the first rise.
- Start the Machine: Press the start button. The machine will begin mixing, then move into the kneading phase.
- Monitor Dough (Optional but Recommended): After about 5-10 minutes of kneading, check the dough consistency. It should be a smooth, elastic ball. If it's too sticky, add flour (a tablespoon at a time). If it seems too dry and the machine is struggling, add a little liquid (a teaspoon at a time).
- Wait for the Cycle End: The machine will stop and beep when the dough cycle is complete. This signals that the dough has been kneaded and has completed its first rise within the pan.
- Remove and Shape: Carefully remove the risen dough from the bread machine pan. It is now ready for punching down, shaping, and its second rise before baking in a conventional oven.
Benefits of Using the Dough Cycle
- Saves Time & Effort: Eliminates manual kneading.
- Consistent Results: Machines provide consistent kneading action.
- Built-in Rising: Includes the first rise, simplifying the process.
Using the "dough only" cycle is a simple yet effective way to leverage your bread machine for just the kneading step, giving you perfect dough ready for a variety of baking projects.
