BEST HAND MIXER FOR BREAD DOUGH RECIPES

Steps:

• Mix yeast and warm water in a large bowl and let sit for 10 minutes. During this time you should see bubbles appear in the water (perfectly normal).
• Once yeast and water have sat for 10 minutes, add the oil, salt, sugar and 1 cup of flour. Mix with a hand mixer for 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes, stir in the rest of the flour and mix with a large spoon until you can no longer mix by spoon and continue by hand kneading as you go. Once you have all flour completely mixed in, you should have a texture that is NOT sticky and not dry (if it IS sticky add more flour and if it IS dry, add a LITTLE more water until desired consistency is reached). Roll into a dough ball.
• Place in an oiled boil (must be oiled and not sprayed) and flip one time. Cover with a damp towel and place in warm environment (NOT HOT). What I do is preheat the oven to 170 and then immediately turn off while I'm mixing the dough - this leaves the oven at the perfect temperature to rise. Let rise for 1 hour OR until doubled in size.
• Remove towel and dough and place dough ona lightly floured surface. Knead the dough and roll out into a large rectangle (you MAY need to lightly flour your rolling pin as well). You will now roll the rectangle back up along the short side (if you roll along the long side it will not fit in your bread pan). Pinch seams together on bottom and on ends and place seem side down into a sprayed full-size loaf pan. Place a damp towel over the loaf pan and put it back into the oven to rise a second time (again no heat on) for 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven at about 24 minutes and let it rise the last 6 minutes on the counter while you preheat your oven to 370 degrees F.
• Place uncovered loaf pan into the oven and bake for 30-32 minutes.
• Cool on wire rack and allow cooling time before cutting. Enjoy!

Steps:

• Combine yeast, sugar, and 1 cup warm water in bowl of a heavy-duty electric stand mixer; let stand 5 minutes. Add 2 cups flour, oil, and salt to bowl, and beat at low speed, using dough hook attachment, 1 minute. Gradually add additional flour until dough begins to leave the sides of the bowl and pull together. (Note: The dough will take on a "shaggy" appearance as the flour is being added. When enough flour has been added, the dough will look soft and smooth, not wet and sticky or overly dry with a rough surface.)
• Increase speed to medium, and beat 5 minutes. Cover bowl of dough with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Punch dough down, and let stand 10 minutes.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; shape dough into a 12-inch loaf, and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cut 3 (1/4-inch deep) slits across top of dough with a sharp paring knife. (The slits release interior steam and prevent the loaf from blowing apart at the side.)
• Bake at 400° for 16 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
• Herbed Focaccia: Proceed with recipe as directed, shaping dough into a ball instead of a loaf. Roll dough into an 11- x 14-inch rectangle on a lightly greased baking sheet. Press handle of a wooden spoon into dough to make indentations at 1-inch intervals. Drizzle dough evenly with 1 tablespoon olive oil; sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning. Bake at 475° for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
• Pizza Crust: Proceed with recipe as directed, shaping dough into a ball instead of a loaf. Roll dough into an 11- x 14-inch rectangle on a lightly greased baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, or spread with pesto or pizza sauce, and sprinkle with desired toppings. Bake at 475° for 20 to 25 minutes.