The Fresh Loaf

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different amounts for same type recipe

Janna3921's picture
Janna3921

different amounts for same type recipe

Was looking at some recipes for regular white bread, given names such as Old Fashioned bread, White Bread, Grandma's Bread, Nana's Bread and others that I have found on various sites,

What gets me is that each one has different amounts of ingredients.   That has me confused, one says 6 cups of flour and 1 and 1/2 tbs of sugar, another would say 4 and 1/4 cups of flour and 3 tbs of sugar.  Different measurements of water with different measurements of flour, some all purpose and some bread flour.  Some milk some just water.  

Why such a difference in amounts of sugar, of some in water, some in other ingredients?  Do I just try different ones and see which one we like?  

I used the one from the book Bread Baker's Apprentice to make rolls and forgot to add the oil, so after it had kneaded for four minutes I went ahead and added it and kneaded it for four more minutes (using the mixer), I am pretty sure that it was over kneaded, but it tasted okay.   First rising was double size and second rising was also  double in size; just not very sweet like we had had at our favorite steak house, fantastic yeast rolls.  

Elsasquerino's picture
Elsasquerino

Everyone's idea of a perfect slice of bread is different. Hence such variety in recipe's. Enjoy tweaking and learning as you go. The search for the perfect loaf is a long but rewarding task.

Bread rat.'s picture
Bread rat.

Ive been making the same bread recipe for three weeks now. Tweaking it differently each time. For me the original recipe was two sweet. So I reduced the sugar down to one tablespoon. You like the taste and texture of the rolls you made. Try adding more sugar to make them sweeter.

Not an expert by any means. But I have been reading a lot on making bread. The reason there is different liquid ratio to flour in recipes is to keep the hydration level of the dough optimal for best results. The amount of water, eggs and milk effect the overall moisture.