Making black bread in a microwave oven
I have received a few packs of dough mixture for German black bread from a friend (Vollkornbrot, black rye bread). All I have available to make it is a bread maker and a microwave oven (probably known as microwave "grill" function, works with actual heat, not microwaves, but is still no real oven). The bread maker is much too weak to move the heavy dough around, so I have to knead it by hand. That's not a problem though, but I have had very little success actually baking the bread using either the bread maker or the microwave oven.
Even after baking the final product remains very heavy and grows very little. There remain some very doughy pockets, which seem only half baked to me. I'm turning the oven almost as high as it goes (around 240℃, according to display) and tried baking the bread for a longer time. I also tried to make smaller rolls instead, with the same result.
Is it possible to make such heavy bread using such weak equipment? If so, what can I change to make it work? Or is the ready-made dough mixture simply no good?
Best Answer
As you probably know, volkornbrot and similar breads are designed to bake at a lower temperature for a longer time. 240 C sounds way too high to me. 150-180 C should be about right, and leave the bread in for a long time (up to 3 hours), until the loaf starts to pull away from the sides of the pan. Even after this baking process, because the bread batter is much wetter than a standard bread, you should not slice or eat the bread until it has had time to cool and "rest," about 24 hours. If you slice it right away, the heat and moisture escape and the inside is still doughy/raw. If you wait, the moisture will have time to distribute throughout the loaf and the inside will firm up. Just be patient! The benefit is that the loaf should last for a very long time wrapped in plastic, especially if you put the unused portion in the fridge.
Pictures about "Making black bread in a microwave oven"
Can I use microwave oven for baking bread?
I often get this question from people who attend my bread baking workshop. The simple answer is yes. Yes, you can use a microwave oven for baking.Can you put bread dough in the microwave?
Turn Your Microwave into a Proof BoxOnce the water is heated, place the covered bowl of bread dough in the microwave, along with the water, and close the door. As the water continues to steam in the closed microwave, it creates a warm, humid environment, similar to that of a bread dough proofer.Can you put raw dough in the microwave?
Place dough inside the microwave, close the door and allow the dough to rise until doubled. (Do not turn on the microwave. While some authorities suggest using a low power setting to speed up the dough's rising, we do not recommend this.)How long do you microwave bread for?
DO NOT OVER-HEAT OR THE BREAD WILL BECOME TOUGH. If you are using a microwave oven that has the Micro Steam function, place the bread on a double-layer of paper towels on a plate. Heat on Micro Steam 300W for 20 seconds. Flip the bread over and heat again for 20 seconds or more until bread is warmed to your liking.No-Knead Microwave Bread - 5-Minute Microwave Food Hack!
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