Recipe(tried): Bread machine tips and Tom's Perfect French Bread, Tom's Cuban Bread (bread machine)

I do not have your brand of machine, but had the same problem when I got my new Breadman Ultimate. It came out like a 'brick'!

1. Check the expiration date on your yeast;
2. Make sure the water is 105-115F when you put it into the machine;
3. I found by using 2 1/4 tsp active dry or breadmachine yeast it came out better. I'll post the two recipes I most frequently use here.

Tom's Perfect French Bread for Bread Machine
Recipe By: Tom Shunick

1 package active dry yeast -- (2 1/4 tsp)
2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons butter -- at room temperature
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon warm water 105-115F

For my machine: put ingredients in bread pan in given order with yeast in lower left corner.

Set machine for French Bread and crust to medium to dark setting. Push start.

Formatted 5/13/2003

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Tom's Cuban Bread (bread machine)
Recipe By : Tom Shunick

1 cup warm water -- 105-115F
3 tablespoons butter -- softened
1 large egg
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
3 cups bread flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup dry milk non-fat type
2 1/4 teaspoons Fleischmann's bread machine yeast

For the Cuban Topping:
2 teaspoons melted butter
1 tablespoon cornmeal

Place ingredients except the melted butter and cornmeal in your machine as listed. Set machine for French, 1.5lb loaf, light crust. When done, brush top of loaf with the melted butter and sprinkle with the cornmeal. Serve with lots of butter.

Ingredients are list in order for Breadman Ultimate Machine. Just use your manufacturer's instructions.

Formatted by Tom Shunick - A Westminster Receptarist - January 11, 2004
Tom's note: Absolutely delicious.

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Serving Ideas: Goes well with soups & stews.