Ask a Question

Questions? Start with the Search Bar: I’ve been posting recipes and answering questions on this site since 2007, so if you have a question, there’s probably a post that addresses it somewhere on this website. So, the first thing to do is to use the Search Bar on the Home Page. In narrower laptop or desktop displays, it sometimes appears right underneath the orange BreadIn5 logo, and on phones it’s right above where it says “How to make bread in five minutes a day?” Just type in the bread style, ingredient, or technique that you’re interested in, and the search-engine will show you posts on the topic, with recipes and answers to many questions.

Another place to look: the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) page (there’s also have a Gluten-Free FAQs page). If you don’t find your answer in the FAQs, you can post baking questions and comments, but please be brief, so I can get to all the questions.  

If neither of those get you to the answer you need, click on any “Comments/Reply” field at the top of any post (it doesn’t have to be here on “Ask a Question”) and scroll down to the bottom; then enter your question or comment. Don’t look for the response in your personal email… Come back here to the site on the page where you posted, to look for the answer.

Questions are answered here on the website within 24 hours, often with a reference to a page number in our books where possible.  Please remember that the blog is moderated, so your post may not appear until I’ve read and approved it; this can take 24 hours.

6,633 thoughts to “Ask a Question”

  1. I’d like to make more enriched doughs

    I also wondered if there are any recipes for crescent rolls anywhere? I’d really like to be able to make these.

    Thank you

    1. There’s a crescent roll recipe on page 91 of The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day (on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3WKmq9B), or you can type “crescent” into the Search Bar here on the website. Also–the book you’re interested in has “Croissant-esque Rolls,” which give the directions for ordinary crescent rolls, the only difference being that you’d use a non-laminated dough, like my brioche or challah.

      1. Yes, but depending on which brand of “00” you’re using, you’re going to need to adjust the water level– usually less, but it depends on the protein content and the flour’s fineness of grind. Assume you’re making pizza, and the most common brand is Caputo. Is that what you’re using?

      2. I am using Molino Grassi Italian 00 flour. I don’t see the protein percentage listed anywhere on the package but it has 3 g of protein per 30 g of flour.

      3. Because of rounding error (posted numbers are to the nearest whole gram), this doesn’t mean much). My guess is that you’re going to have to decrease the water slightly. Try two tablespoons less for starters, increase as needed so it looks like my usual does in the videos.

  2. Please help this beginner bread baker. I just baked my 3rd Master Loaf from Zoe’s and Jeff’s latest book and my family absolutely loved it as I did. It was only the 4th loaf I have ever baked so I am totally hooked on their method. I just got confused by their various videos. After coming out of the fridge, Zoe folded it about 6 times and then molded it into a ball before putting in the Clocthe which is what I use as well. Jeff, on the other hand dropped all sides of the dough in flour, did not fold it at all and then just molded it into a ball before baking. Both obviously work but is one method better than the other??? Jeff’s method is far less stressful to the dough and much easier since the very sticky ball is no longer a problem. Please respond as I really want to add another full ball of dough to the fridge. Thank you very much

    1. Ken, it’s clear that both methods work. Yes, I think my method is a little easier and quicker, and maybe a little bit more fail safe for people who aren’t professionally trained in dough handling, like Zoe is. Also, as the dough gets older in the bucket, you really want to avoid overhandling, so that’s another reason to go simpler.

  3. My bread is dense.

    I tried 2 times, following the recipe to the letter except I am trying with single bread batch, so the “Boule” recipe divided by 4

    so
    water : 850g / 4 = ~213g

    The dough is not very wet. Feel like I need to add more water. Is that because the flour I am using might be different than your ?

    Do you have video / picture of how the dough should feel before putting in the fridge ?

    Any other advice ?

    1. Yes, there are lots of videos about what the dough should look like, on my YouTube… YouTube.com/breadin5. The likeliest reason for your dry dough is a measuring problem with the flour. Are you using the scoop and sweep method, for which I also have a video on the YouTube? Are you weighing? That’s more accurate. The second likeliest explanation is, yes, a difference in flours. What brand are you using? And is it all purpose flour?

      1. Yes all purpose flour
        Ha, yes I see, thanks for the videos, my dough is definitely drier that what is shown.

        I weight all ingredients
        For flours I am using the following brands

        – Wholefoodearth for Rice flour (128.5g)
        – TRS Food for sorghum flour (57.3 g)
        – yourhealthstore for potato starch and tapioca flour and xanthan (28.3g, 28.3g and 5g)

        With it and 213g of water + corresponding quantity of salt + yeast I get a dough that is dry and do not stick and line of separation appears

      2. Ah, you didn’t say you were using my GF Master, so that clarifies (most of my recipes, in most of my books, are based on wheat). As I say in the books, all the GF recipes had to be tested and standardized on a single, US-based brand, because GF recipes are very temperamental to flour changes. So I chose to test with all Bob’s Red Mill flours. When I tried swapping in other flours, the hydration needed to be changed, and it’s impossible to say in which direction–all depends on the flour(s), and I’ve never used yours. That said, given your experience with these flours, you’re going to need more water, and the best way to gauge it is to add additional water until it looks like the dough in this video: https://artisanbreadinfive.com/2015/03/03/gluten-free-bread-in-five-minutes-a-day-the-video/
        You should be able to salvage your too-dry dough by adding water. Also, best results for GF are with a stand mixer, though hand-mixing works. Tends to be denser, less-wonderful texture.

  4. This set of books changed our lives for the better. Wanted to be making bread, needed a new method and a nudge. Now two years in, virtually all of our bread from your books. You are awesome. Thank you!!!!

    Have made one recipe repeatedly for us and family and friends and it gets great reviews. Its the Soft Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread from the Healthy book. Changes to your recipe:

    1. Maple Syrup for Honey
    2. Whisk dry ingredients together extensively before mixing with wet
    3. Longer rise time in bucket 4-5 hours.
    4. Longer rise time in pans, 3 hours min.
    5. All bobs redmill flours (not a change, just a clarification)

    Makes a lighter airier loaf. Great fresh, phenomal toasted, lasts a week without falloff in experience.

    1. These are all great hacks to the recipe, kudos! Partial to maple syrup myself, but I wasn’t sure that that was universal so I didn’t make it a default.

  5. I found your recipe for the Artisan Bread Boule in 5-minutes a day. OMG! I can’t believe it works as described. The reason is that I’ve been seriously working on bread making for a year. So many failures. This recipe works exactly as written. I even bought a container in which to put my weekly dough. My husband loves the bread, great chew. Thank so much, so, so much.

  6. Hello
    many thanks for your work! Do any of your books have recipes which include almond flour, flax seed and flour, and other flours good for your health?
    Thank you

    1. The updated version of my second book (The New Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day) has some, but mostly as a minor ingredient in wheat-flour recipes. If you want something that’s mostly non-wheat flours, check out Peter Reinhart’s book, on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3tNYxPX

    1. 2 pounds, or 910 grams. Another approach for the 75% hydration dough that I’m sure you’re asking about is 750 grams water, 1,000 grams of all-purpose flour. Or 24 ounces water, 32 ounces of that flour.

  7. I am using the whole wheat master recipe from the New Healthy book. The dough is turning out good but when we are baking it the outside gets done but the inside does not. What are we doing wrong?

  8. I just got the Gluten free Artisan bread book and in order for me to make the Challah recipe Hamotzi, it needs to be at least 51% oat flour. Can I switch the amounts of oat flour with the rice flour? This is for my niece who has celiac. Also, since I’m in Israel (as is she), the brand that you suggested may not be available here. Any suggestions of brands from Israel?

    Thanks.

    1. Unfortunately, I’m almost certain that this isn’t going to work. The oat flour is just too heavy to get away with this. At least, not for a lofty, traditional challah. If you try this, it’s going to take a lot of experimentation, including with the degree of hydration, which will certainly change, probably requiring more. What I’d recommend is that you should make it your goal to have a flatbread challah. To get an idea of what I mean by this, put the word “challah” into the Search Bar on my homepage, and scroll through the options. One of them is a flat challah… Consider that shaping technique for your high-oat gluten-free attempt. As for the Israeli flours, I’ve never used them, so I can’t help there–all bets are off. I’d ask my sister-in-law in Modi’in, but she’s not a GF baker. Be safe, my friend.

  9. My family all love your original recipe…I have added a couple of tablespoons of various spices over the course of the past 4-5 years…we all enjoy them sooo much.
    I frequently give loaves away….

    I would like to add chopped dried cranberries to one of the recipes….is there one in particular that you think would work better than others? I have not tried any of your other recipes….just the original one. Thank you for taking the time to respond.:)

    1. I’d try the challah, maybe the brioche, though, I generally find the latter a bit too rich for my taste. Many versions in my books, or you can put those words into the search bar on the homepage to see versions that are available here on the website

    1. Most of the Kamut product are whole grain, so they’ll behave about the way whole wheat flour behaves in my recipes that call for whole wheat. Problem is that the hydration needed in order to form the wet dough that my method depends on– will vary. So you may need to experiment. Also, the gluten is lower than in regular wheat, so it may not hold a shape as well, especially if your dough is too wet.

    1. Sure, usually the oven light is warm enough, or you can briefly put the heat on, but don’t forget to shut it off almost immediately. Immediately. Another option is to put a pan of hot water under on the bottom. Shelf. Covering is also a decent way to do it, then you don’t have to worry about the humidity

  10. I live in the southern U.S. and primarily buy White Lily flour, as it’s what I grew up with and know how to use in desserts and biscuits. I know the protein content is different in White Lily flour compared to other flours though. Could I combine WL all-purpose flour and WL bread flour to get a flour mixture that would have the right protein content and behave appropriately for the master recipe?

    1. Yes, that’s exactly what I’d suggest, but it’s going to take some experimentation because I don’t know exactly what proportion to use. Maybe try half and half initially. Since you going to be buying a second flour anyway, why don’t you just get some regular all purpose?

      1. I already have both of those, and I’m trying not to add any more varieties of flour to my already squished pantry, ha! Thank you!

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