How To Knead Dough Using Stand Mixers
Kneading the dough is essential because it affects the texture and appearance in the bread making process. This all too essential task need not to be a tough one. Kneading can be performed with the use of a kitchen stand mixer since this will ensure that your ingredients are well mixed and that the gluten is developed in the dough. This article will teach you how to knead dough using a stand mixer.
The things you need include a dough hook, a large bowl, the bread dough recipe you chose and of course the stand mixer. The first and essential step is to prepare your bread dough. Measure the ingredients as according to the recipe you are following, this is usually comprised of the flour, sugar, salt and dry yeast.
Combine these ingredients and using a paddle attachment, mix them with warm water into the bowl of the stand mixer. Mix the ingredients together until the dough is smooth but not dry to the touch. Add some cups of flour gradually until the dough is soft and according to your recipes requirements. You will need some more floor added later on. For bread recipes, usually the amount of flour needed takes about four to six cups.
With the paddle attachment, set the mixer’s speed on low speed for about five minutes or until such time when the dough moves freely and pulls away from the sides of the mixer easily. It may normally take a while because the ingredients are wet and the result may look slightly lumpy. After a while, turn it off and replace the paddle attachment with the dough hook. Add the flour gradually and now mix it at low speed for two to six minutes. Do not overwork the dough by letting it mix for longer than six minutes.
When you’re done, set aside the dough and grease a large mixing bowl with shortening. You can also use olive oil in two tablespoons as an alternative. Take the dough that you have set aside, form the dough into a ball, place it back into the greased bowl, and make sure that all parts of the dough are well coated with the grease or the oil. After doing so, cover it with a towel and set it aside. Now you can wait for the dough to rise according to the time that was specified in your chosen recipe.
