• It may take a number of attempts to get the formula for your favourite recipe just right for your bread machine. Write down the quantities that work for you.

• Using the manufacturer's manual as a guide, determine the amount of flour (number of cups) that you can use in your bread machine. You must not exceed this amount or you might damage the machine.

• For each 1 cup (250 mL) flour used, you will need approximately 1/3 cup, (75 mL) liquid, at least 1 tsp (5 mL) sugar, honey or other sweetener, 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt and 1/2 tsp (2 mL) bread machine or quick-rising (instant) dry yeast. Do not leave out the sweetener or the salt; both are needed for successful yeast dough.

• If fat is called for in the recipe, use at least 1 tsp (5 mL) room temperature solid fat or vegetable oil per 1 cup (250 mL) flour.

• Remove the bread pan from the machine before adding any ingredients. Add ingredients to the pan in the order suggested. Yeast must remain dry until the machine starts to mix ingredients.

• Be present when the machine starts to knead the ingredients. Open the lid and look at the dough ball during the first knead: if it is too firm and dry, or if the bread machine seems to be straining, add liquid, a few drops at a time, until machine stops straining; if it is too sticky, add enough flour, a spoonful at a time, to make it smooth.

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