Fall Recipes I Can't Wait to Make What kind of recipe do you like to make when the weather starts to turn cool? My sister always reports when she makes her first bowl of soup in autumn so we can compare. Maybe it's pumpkin-something at your house, winter squash, or apples. I've gathered a few of my favorites that taste best wearing a sweatshirt. (Sorry if I'm a bit late with this--it's still reaching into the high 80's here in Texas, so the mood is slow to hit me.) Savory Mashed Sweet and...

Have you tried the Rapid Bake Cycle on your bread machine? It’s tempting when time is short—press the button and get a warm loaf in just over an hour. How does it work? The machine calls for extra yeast and higher temperatures to speed things up. The trade-off: flavor, texture, and shelf life. Rapid Bake loaves are usually denser, taste flatter, and go stale quickly. Kids may gobble it up, but it’s not the kind of bread you’ll want to share proudly. Bread flavor needs time. Sourdough lovers,...

Have you heard of the "windowpane" test? It may help you make better bread? It’s not about house windows — it’s a simple way to check gluten development in your dough. How to Do ItTake a small piece of dough and gently stretch it with your fingers. If it thins enough to let light through before tearing, the gluten is fully developed. If it tears, don’t panic — what you do next depends on your dough and timing. What to Do If Your Dough Fails the Test If your dough will be resting for hours...