Hi. I've been baking my own whole wheat/rye bread for several years now, so I'm pretty experienced. But for quite a while now, I've been having a consistent problem. My crust rips every. time. It always rips on one side or the other at the lip of the pan so that the loaf is lop-sided. Still completely edible, but oddly shaped, and it's really annoying me that I can't seem to find a fix.
Based on my handy-dandy Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book trouble shooting guide, here's what I've tried in several combinations and to may different degrees:
1) Wetter dough, to the point where it's almost too sticky to handle even when fully risen. Still rips.
2) Longer proofing time. Sometimes I forget about it and over proof. Still rips.
In addition, I seem to have this problem with home ground and store-bought flour, in summer and winter, long rising time or short rising time. I'm out of ideas. I do use a Kitchen Aid with dough hook to knead, if that makes any difference. (?) This is a basic whole grain loaf -- 6 parts whole wheat, 1 part rye, with butter, salt, honey, water. I also usually add gluten, though not always.
I'm flummoxed. Any ideas at all?
Stephanie
Based on my handy-dandy Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book trouble shooting guide, here's what I've tried in several combinations and to may different degrees:
1) Wetter dough, to the point where it's almost too sticky to handle even when fully risen. Still rips.
2) Longer proofing time. Sometimes I forget about it and over proof. Still rips.
In addition, I seem to have this problem with home ground and store-bought flour, in summer and winter, long rising time or short rising time. I'm out of ideas. I do use a Kitchen Aid with dough hook to knead, if that makes any difference. (?) This is a basic whole grain loaf -- 6 parts whole wheat, 1 part rye, with butter, salt, honey, water. I also usually add gluten, though not always.
I'm flummoxed. Any ideas at all?
Stephanie
But I'll try a single slash down the center of the loaf and see if that does the trick. Thanks for the suggestion!
