[JanuaryMom60444]

I use a hand held mixer for cake / brownie batters, but thats it. I use a bread machine for bread, and it actually cooks the bread. How do you make bread with a mixer? What else do you use it for regularly?

 

[gmvh]

I use ours for cookie dough, pizza dough, bread dough, marshmallows at Christmas, whipping things (cream, eggs whites), icing, play dough...<br><br>
Our bread machine (which I'm contemplating getting rid of if it weren't for the handy timer function) mixes dough for 30 minutes so I dump dough ingredients into the KA and mix for about 20-30 minutes, let it rise, punch it down, shape it, let it rise, and bake. I either do free form bread on the peel or put it in a pan.

 

[shantimama]

It is also great for mashing potatoes.<br><br>
My KA is broken right now but I prefer it to hand held mixers and breadmakers. I like having one appliance that can do lots of things instead of a couple or a few that can only do one thing each.<br><br>
Making bread with a mixer is pretty straightforward. Disolve the yeast in the water and then gradually add the other ingredients and flour while it is mixing. I like that I can make enough dough for 2 or 3 loaves at a time, whereas with a breadmaker you can only do one at atime. I like to bake a few loaves and freeze some and only have to turn teh oven on once.

 

[Ilovelife]

I use it for any sort of dough or batter I'm making (bread, pizza, cookies, frosting, muffins, etc.) To make bread, you just use the mixer to "knead" the dough, then let it rise in the stainless steel mixer bowl, then transfer to pans & bake. I prefer it because most breadmakers make odd-shaped loaves that aren't so good for sandwiches or for fitting into the toaster. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[gracefulhome]

I like the Kitchen Aid mixer for all of the uses listed by the previous posters, but one of the best uses is cookie dough . . . especially peanut butter cookies. They make my hand ache when I mix them by hand , so the mixer eliminates the pain.

 

[happyfrog]

i like my ka. it also has attachments for making sausages, etc if one desires. my mom used to use all the attachments all the time!!!<br><br>
i use it for pizza dough, batters, mashing potatoes, just about everything one would want to mix up in some fashion.<br><br>
only thing I don't like is if one uses less than 3 egg whites it has trouble turnign them into soft peaks timely. otherwise, it's awesome! i have the tilt head model. don't remember which one it's red, though. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
bettyann<br>
nak

 

[TexasSuz]

Nothing...it sits on the counter and collects dust. Of course, my life has been too stressful to cook much since I got it!

 

[marybethorama]

I don't have a bread machine so I use it for bread dough and pizza dough.<br><br>
I don't have a hand mixer either so I use it for mixing cake and cookie batter and beating egg whites. Also making frosting.

 

[mosesface]

all of the above.<br><br>
plus, with attachments, you can make pasta, grind grains, meats, mash veggies, and i think there's even a can opener attachment.

 

[JanB]

I have a meatball recipe that involves mixing the meat in the electric mixer for 10 minutes, so I use it for that. Also bread and grinding grain on occasion.<br><br>
Mostly we use ours for soapmaking, though. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[savithny]

There's an ice cream maker attachment. Yum. Homemade ice cream in interesting flavors made with organic milk/cream/sugar <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
What else? Whipping eggs and milk together for quiche or oven pancakes (dutch babies). Cookies (I really got it mainly so I'd be able to make all my family's traditional german Chrsitmas cookies that require 30 minutes of beating). Cake batter. Crackers. Beating eggs until they're light and fluffy for omelets.<br><br>
We have a bread machine, so I haven't tried the dough hook yet, but I've got a few recipes that look good and should do better with an extended knead.

 

[lilliansmom]

LOVE LOVE my kitchen aid...<br>
One bowl for every thing. It has FAB attachments like pasta maker!!<br>
It makes cooking from scratch easy. I think it makes the best bake goods possible.<br><br>
Waffles (peaking eggs)<br>
Breads<br>
Cakes<br>
Cookies<br>
Wiped Cream<br>
Icing<br>
Brownies<br>
Mashed Potatoes<br>
Cheese balls<br>
Pizza<br><br>
I could go on and on.

 

[dbsam]

As PP's mentioned, I use it for baking, pizza & bread dough, etc. I don't own a hand mixer and haven't used my bread maker for years; I like it baked in the oven better than my bread maker - a different consistancy.<br><br>
When we purchased the KA, the store cleark suggested we leave it on the counter rather than put it in the pantry. I've tried both ways and it gets much more use when out in the open.<br><br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/offtopic.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="offtopic"><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>gmvh</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7974647"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">marshmallows at Christmas</div>
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You make your own marshmallows? Is it difficult?

 

[oneKnight]

I use mine for making cake, and occasionally mashed potatoes. Honestly, it doesn't get used much, but it was a wedding gift and I think it IS useful-enough to keep it around.<br><br>
I keep mine on top of the fridge because I can't afford to give up counter space.

 

[cece]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/notes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="notes">:<br>
I want one! Is DH reading this thread? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> Seriously though. Did anyone get a deal on theirs or did you get it as a wedding gift? We had a really small wedding on the beach and don't have all the typical wedding gift appliances. I would love to find one for a good price. Let me know if you are aware of any!

 

[gmvh]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>dbsam</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7980228"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;"><br>
You make your own marshmallows? Is it difficult?</div>
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I just did it this past holiday season for the first time. I did use gelatin but the library in town has a book that uses agar agar. I forget the exact name of it but it's by Mary Jane Butters (her name is similar to that - great help, eh?)<br><br><br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>cece</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7983842"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/notes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="notes">:<br>
I want one! ... I would love to find one for a good price. Let me know if you are aware of any!</div>
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Check Craig's List! My sister just picked up a 5 quart model for $75. It was missing the bread hook and paddle but she found them at Bed, Bath, & Beyond and had a coupon. I think in all she spent $100. You can also find refurbished models at some outlet stores and on ebay.

 

[cece]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>gmvh</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8005367"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;"><br><br><br><br>
Check Craig's List! My sister just picked up a 5 quart model for $75. It was missing the bread hook and paddle but she found them at Bed, Bath, & Beyond and had a coupon. I think in all she spent $100. You can also find refurbished models at some outlet stores and on ebay.</div>
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good idea, thanks!

 

[Starr]

I just bought a KA moxer a month ago and love it!!! So far I use mine for making banana bread, zuchini bread, muffins, mashed potatoes... ALso I was able to mix up 3 loaves of meatloaf and freeze two for later. It also mixes much quicker and saves a lot of time. I can set the mixer going and just dump in ingredients instead of adding something and stirring for a minute or two.

 

[flminivanmama]

I use it sooo often. I bake a lot of cookies, cakes, muffins, etc. plus mashed potatoes and stuff like that.<br><br>
I'd like a bread hook but it was dh's grandmothers and so it is a slightly differnt size than what is sold today. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"><br><br>
It's real cool though - a retro pale yellow color and still works perfectly. it's at least 50-60 years old.

 

[Jennisee]

I love my KA mixer! I doubt I'd ever use it if I kept it in the pantry, because it's so heavy, but I made a spot for it on the counter. It's very powerful, I think 450 watts, so it mixes things that a hand mixer won't touch. I never use my hand mixer any more because the KA is more powerful, more thorough, and just as convenient since I keep it on the counter. And some of the attachments replace having larger, separate appliances, like the juicer and ice cream maker attachments.<br><br>
It is great for making bread dough! I hate kneading dough by hand, and the dough hook does an excellent job. It makes enough dough for two loaves, so I usually bake one loaf and freeze the other half of the dough for quick rolls. I am getting rid of all our Teflon, so that will include the breadmaker.<br><br>
Like a PP said, it makes easy work of stiff cookie doughs like peanut butter cookies and chocolate chip cookies.<br><br>
My other favorite use is whipping my own cream instead of using Cool Whip. I probably do this once a week.