Skip to main content

A Guide to Making Bread Using a KitchenAid Mixer

One would be hard-pressed to find anything as comforting and as deliciously wonderful as a fresh loaf of homemade bread. There's a reason so many turned to it in the early days of the pandemic. A slice of sourdough, warm from the oven, topped with melting, velvety butter, is just soothing to the soul.

There was something so beautifully wholesome in those early COVID days, and people searching for every comfort they could find turned to domestic joys. In such an unknowing and dreadful time, homemade bread provided a small slice of comfort to a world scared and confused.

While that fear is slowly easing, the human need for comfort never will. Freshly baking bread fills our homes not only with exquisite scents, but also, somehow, with peace and warmth that may not have been there before.

Now that many have returned to the workplace, and life is beginning to pick up speed once again, there are still ways to bring that homemade magic into our lives. While it may have been fun for a bit to flex our muscles, both figuratively and literally, all of that kneading, rolling, and sweating just isn't necessary. Did you know you can use your KitchenAid mixer to make a (much easier) loaf of homemade goodness?

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

1 hour

What You Need

  • 5 1/4 cups white bread flour

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons rounded, instant yeast

  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

  • 1 3/4 cups warm water (120-130 degrees Fahrenheit)

  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons oil

  • 2 tablespoons orange zest

  • KitchAid Mixer

While people have been making bread for millennia without the convenience of modern-day technology, there's just no need for that silliness anymore. Sure, some purists may claim that "it's just not the same" if done with more ease, less mess, and fewer muscle aches. But we'll let you in on a little secret: It tastes the same. The only difference is now you won't need a full body massage after creating your home-baked loaf of love. Sorry purists, hope you enjoy churning your own butter, too.

There are so many conveniences to using a stand mixer for your bread. Of course, you won't find yourself exhausted before the thing is even ready to bake. That's huge. There are many reasons using a mixer is actually better than mixing everything by hand. For starters, you can adjust to multiple speed settings, according to your recipe and the bread you're making. Not to mention the wide variety of attachments and accessories you can use to mix ingredients more quickly and efficiently. It really is just a matter of combining your ingredients in the bowl and letting that dough hook do its thing.

No matter what bread you're baking, be it a classic, white sandwich bread, a buttery brioche, or a new vegan recipe you've been drying to try, bread making with a mixer is definitely the way to go. So sit back, grab a cocktail, and let the mixer do all the hard work for you.

How to Make Bread Using a KitchenAid Mixer

Orange Cardamom Bread Recipe

Here's a KitchenAid mixer bread recipe from La Fuji Mama.

This bread tastes like a giant hug with its fresh orange flavor, paired with the nutty, peppery warmth of cardamom. It's particularly lovely fresh from the oven, slathered in butter. Toast it the next morning with a smear of marmalade for a breakfast that's sure to make everyone happy.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: In the KitchenAid mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and cardamom.

Step 3: Add the water, orange juice, oil, and orange zest and mix it for 1 minute at medium-high speed until the dough has a sticky consistency. If it's too dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the correct consistency.

Step 4: Mix for 5 minutes at a medium speed.

Step 5: Spray a smooth kneading surface with cooking spray and turn the dough out on to the surface. Divide the dough into three equal portions.

Step 6: Knead each portion briefly until it has a smooth, even consistency.

Step 7: Roll the pieces out into three strands of the same length and braid them together. Place the braid on a greased baking sheet, cover with a large dish towel, and let rise for 25 minutes.

Step 8: Bake the braid in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until it's golden brown. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

So whether you're desperate for a warm, cozy feeling that will make the world feel like a better place, or you're just hungry for some incredible bread, dust off the old stand mixer and give this recipe a try. You'll be amazed at how easy it actually is to create something so wonderful. Whip up a few loaves for your friends and family, reminding them that even though the world has a little more hope now, spreading the love is still more important than ever.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Lindsay Parrill
Lindsay is a graduate of California Culinary Academy, Le Cordon Bleu, San Francisco, from where she holds a degree in…
How to make an omelet: A step-by-step guide for the perfect breakfast
From ingredients to flipping, these are the techniques you'll need to make the ultimate omelet
Homemade omelette on plate next to toast and orange juice.

If you've ever spent time in a professional kitchen, you'll know that omelets are the bane of a line cook's existence. It's not because they're necessarily a complicated dish to cook, but they require a lot of attention. Many things within the omelet cooking process, if they go slightly wrong, can ruin the dish. And if you're a line cook working a busy brunch shift, the last thing you want to do is babysit an omelet as the tickets come pouring in.

Good thing for you, you're not a line cook, and if you are, we hope you already know how to make an omelet. But, if you aspire to be a cook, we all have to start somewhere.

Read more
The top-rated KitchenAid Stand Mixer just got a big price cut
Kitchenaid Mixer.

A staple of the modern kitchen, stand mixers allow you to blend, create, and mix ingredients for a bevy of recipes. One of the most popular brands in the product category is KitchenAid. Whether you already have one, or you need to scoop yourself up a new one, if you're looking for KitchenAid mixer deals, you've come to the right place. Best Buy is currently offering an excellent deal on the KitchenAid Professional 5 Plus Series, knocking $170 off the full price. Instead of its usual $450, you can nab it today for just $280, which is an incredible deal. You'll find that deal below along with more information about this mixer, and what makes it such a great option for food prep -- gourmet or home-based alike.

Why Buy the KitchenAid Professional 5 Plus Stand Mixer?
Cooks and chefs worldwide swear by the effectiveness of KitchenAid mixers, and this model is an excellent example of their commitment to quality. If you frequently have to mix ingredients, the
KitchenAid Pro 5 Plus
might become the most essential tool you have in your kitchen. This excellent stand mixer is packed with all the features you need to make the best baking recipes, whether you're a novice baker or an experienced cake maker. When you take it out of the box, the first thing you'll notice is the build quality. The hub itself is durably constructed, with a sleek exterior that's right at home in a professional kitchen.

Read more
A chef’s guide to making the perfect Korean fried chicken
Chef Sol Han of NYC's innovative Little Mad shares his best fried chicken tips and tricks

Delivered fresh in takeout boxes or served alongside frosty beer at bustling restaurants, fried chicken is a national obsession in Korea. Historically, chicken consumption was rare in South Korea, and it wasn't until the 1980s that Korean fried chicken became popular. While Korean fried chicken has similarities to Southern fried chicken, the Korean version is way more diverse in both flavor and variety.

Interested in cooking Korean fried chicken in the comfort of your own home? Here to lend The Manual some expert tips and techniques is Chef Sol Han of Little Mad, an innovative and modern Korean restaurant in New York City. While making fried chicken at home might seem intimidating, the finished product is well worth the adventure. You can reward yourself with the cold beer to pair it with.
Tips to make your Korean fried chicken even better
Chef Sol Han of Little Mad in New York City. Moonhee-Kim
Seasoning the chicken
Chef Han likes to brine his chicken overnight in a 3 percent salt-to-water ratio. One unique twist he likes is to marinate his chicken in dashi stock or white soy, a type of soy sauce with a lighter and sweeter flavor than dark soy sauce. However, if brined, the chicken must dry out on a rack before being dredged in flour.
Frying the chicken
In Korean fried chicken, flour is often replaced with potato starch or corn starch. The use of starches, especially potato, gives the finished crust a less greasy, and pleasing white color. A pinch of baking powder added to the starch will also help increase crispiness. But do not substitute baking soda. The chicken will have an unpleasant alkaline aftertaste. Chef Han likes to dredge his chicken in seasoned flour consisting of salt, black pepper, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

Read more