This makes me want a bread machine! I was always afraid after purchasing one, I wouldn't use it but, my family loves homemade breads-I hate all the hand work involved-so this may make it easier! Cool tips!

Have you ever looked into a Bosch? I used to use my bread maker to knead my bread as well, since it saves me time and my wrists (from carpal tunnel) can't take all that kneading. But I saved up and dreamed of getting a bosch mixer for a long time and was finally able to get one early in December. I throw all the ingredients in the bowl, let it knead 7-10 min, then place it directly in my bread pans, let it rise once, and cook. It's so fast, but it's the best bread I've ever had. I make 5 loaves with one batch, but my friend who has smaller bread pans makes 7. So it depends on the size of your pans. It saves me so much time, I can use it for all my cookie mixes as well. I also love that I don't have to make bread 2-3 times a week like I did before. Anyways... just sharing my new purchase that I love so much. ;-)

I too have used my bread machine for mainly the dough setting. It died though so I haven't been able to do it this way for awhile.

Just wondering -- why does the Challah call for so much yeast? Isn't that about 3 x the normal yeast packet size (2 1/4 t., right?)? Is it just an extra-large recipe?

I just got a Kitchen Aid mixer -- it was a big splurge, which I justified after having used a garage-sale hand mixer for almost 20 years. I tried to find one on e-bay first, but could only find new mixers at almost the same price. (One way that I think e-bay has failed -- they have so much new stuff now that it's hard to find the used in there.) Anyway, maybe Craig's List would have one?

I just got a used bread machine last week, and Sunday morning before leaving for church I started your Amish Bread recipe in the machine. When I came home I had a DELICIOUS loaf of bread, still slightly warm. I'm so glad I got the maker (on ebay!)

I absolutely love my bread machine, although I have been slacking lately on making my own bread. I, too, do the same as you, Tammy, I use it for the dough cycle and do the final rise and bake it in the oven. This method came after several attempts at making bread in the bread machine that turned out more like bricks or concrete blocks rather than something edible. I will admit I have had some 'bloopers' where the loaves have come out less than perfect, but they've been eaten just the same.

For those of you wanting to try a bread machine but not sure if you'll use it or like it, try posting on freecycle.com (you'll need a 'membership' but it's all free); that's how I got my bread machine. I've had it for almost 2 years and the best part of it is the bread machine was FREE !!

Anyone have any recomendations for a bread machine? I would love to get one but I dont know what to look for in a good one.

Traci

I've never used more than four cups of flour in my bread machine at one time. When you mix more than three to four cups do you split up the amount of the ingredients and knead them in batches and then mix them together in a bowl or does your bread machine handle the large amount of flour fairly well?

My bread machine is definitely my best friend, in the kitchen anyway.