Bread Makers

If you enjoy the taste and smell of freshly-baked bread (and who doesn't?) a bread maker can make quick and easy work out of making and baking this simple pleasure.

Simply measure out and add all the ingredients into the machine (there are even ready-made bread mixes that can save you even this chore), and then sit back as they are mixed, kneaded, proved and baked. A programmer allows you to set the time the machine operates, so that you can arrange for your bread to be ready just as you come down for breakfast or are ready to serve dinner.

You can also set the machine simply to mix, rise and prove the dough, enabling you to remove it from the machine and bake it in the oven yourself. This is particularly useful for making rolls, pizzas or pitta bread.

Choose a machine that has a long cycle, as this will allow the dough to rise naturally and develop a good flavour. A cycle time of 3-4 hours will give the best results.