There’s nothing like the taste and aroma of home-baked bread.
Fresh, rich, and wonderfully inviting, it’s something that you can enjoy making any day of the week.
Making bread is quite straightforward, with only the initial mixing and kneading of the dough requiring a lot of work.
Is there an easier way to do it?
Should you mix and knead with your hands, or make things easier with a mixer?
Home baking should never be a chore, so let’s find out if it’s better to mix bread dough by hand or with a mixer.
What Do the Pros Do?
Most commercial kitchens don’t mix entirely by hand.
Even the most traditional bakers need some help.
Commercial stand mixers take care of mixing and kneading.
You can get similar results at home with a reliable stand mixer.
Shaping, folding, twisting, and all the final prep are still done by hand, but having a mixer for the first stages will save you time and effort.
And, if you aren’t particularly confident when it comes to kneading and mixing, you’ll get better results with a stand mixer.
What Kind of Mixer do You Need for Mixing Bread Dough?
Bread dough is heavier than ingredients like cake or cookie batter.
You’ll need a mixer that is up to the job.
A high-quality stand mixer is essential.
While a mixer can be quite an investment, it can pay off.
You’ll be able to use a stand mixer for many of the recipes that you prepare in your kitchen.
Dough, batter, liquid, and solid ingredients can all be prepared in a stand mixer.
With a simple attachment, you could even use a stand mixer as a meat grinder.
This Metal Meat Grinder Set is designed for the popular KitchenAid stand mixer line.
The Advantages of a Stand Mixer for Mixing Bread Dough
A stand mixer makes it easier to make bread, even with the most challenging recipes.
Ingredients are mixed evenly, and the mixer can provide the necessary consistency to make gluten strands form for better-baked bread.
You’ll also reduce the physical work, helping to protect your hands and wrists.
With the best stand mixers, you’ll see…
- Ingredients that are thoroughly mixed and ready for proofing.
- Improvements in your overall kitchen workflow with less mess.
- A range of speed settings for different types of bread recipes.
You don’t need to buy a commercial mixer to get the results of the best artisan bakeries.
While stand mixers are costlier than hand mixers and food processors, they are durable and more versatile, so you’ll get a better return on your investment.
The Best Stand Mixer for Making Bread
When it comes to stand mixers for the home, there’s one brand that is considered before all others.
KitchenAid has built up a strong reputation over decades.
The brand is trusted by experienced home bakers and even professional chefs when preparing baked goods at home.
It can also be used for cakes, cookies, brownies, and any of your recipes that require thorough mixing.
The mixer comes included with a dough hook that mixes and kneads your ingredients so that they are ready for proofing, shaping, and baking.
The Bottom Line: Is it Better to Mix Bread Dough by Hand or by Mixer?
In terms of the easiest and most consistent way to mix bread dough, it’s better to use a mixer for home baking.
A stand mixer won’t just combine the ingredients.
It will also do all the kneading.
If you want the best bread with the fastest time from ingredients to serving, a stand mixer will become one of your favorite kitchen appliances.
