Baking
How to knead bread dough
Work bread dough by pressing, folding and turning it to build the gluten that gives bread its chew.
Step by step
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured counter.
- Push it away from you with the heel of your hand.
- Fold it back over itself toward you.
- Turn it a quarter turn and repeat, in a steady rhythm.
- Add flour only a little at a time, if it really sticks.
- In a stand mixer, use the dough hook on medium-low.
How you know it's done
The dough is smooth and springs back when poked; a small piece stretches thin enough to see light through (8 to 10 minutes by hand).
Common mistakes
- Adding lots of flour, which makes dry, dense bread.
- Stopping too soon.
- Kneading biscuit or pie dough, which should be handled as little as possible.
Simmerbee recipes that use it (9)
- Classic Buttermilk Irish Soda Bread
- Classic Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Garlic Parmesan Knots
- Homemade Margherita Pizza
- Honey Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread
- Jelly-Filled Sufganiyot (Hanukkah Doughnuts)
- Soft Buttery Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls
- Soft Classic White Sandwich Bread
- Three-Strand Braided Challah
In those recipes the word is underlined in the steps; tap it for the short version. In hands-free cook mode, ask “How do I knead?”
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