maxine in ri wrote:
> I've been having fun with the Breadman machine DH gave me for Hanukkah.
> First couple of loaves were fine, next one I forgot to put the paddle
> in (3 hours later it took me a second to realize that we'd baked the
> molassas to the sides of the machine), had a couple of edible, if not
> truely successful, loaves of pumpernickel.
>
> Last night, I set it up for a loaf of light wheat, following the
> directions from the booklet that came with the machine. Used the same
> yeast, same batch of flours, salt, etc. Only changes I made were to
> use molasses and cinnamon instead of honey.
>
> With 20 minutes left to go on the baking time, it was pushing the top
> of the machine up! Is molasses more sweet or something than honey??
> I've been told in the past that too much cinnamon will slow the yeast
> down, but that sure didn't occur.
>
> I did add a quarter cup of ground flax seed. Could that have caused
> the overgrowth?

Nope, flax contains no gluten, if anything it would inhibit rise.

> inquiring minds want to know.

Forgot the salt... little extra shortening?

If anything excessive sugar will retard yeast activity... was not the
sugar... and honey has more sweetening power than molasses. If all
your ingredients were measured properly then perhaps your ingredients
were warmer than at previous times, perhaps your kitchen was warmer...
weather hotter, oven on? A little extra volume such as an extra 1/4
cup flour can easily overflow an ABM. Overflow happens to me
sometimes, never do know exactly why, but I've learned to check near
the end of the last rise and if the dough seems too high I give the top
a few slashes with a sharp knife, so that it collapses a bit. I also
try to remember to be there just as the last rise begins, to reach in
and remove the mixing paddle, it's job is done... and now I won't have
a big hole in the loaf from ripping it out.


Sheldon