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...

Dear Friends, When one of my readers asked for a soft, sandwich loaf with wild rice, I headed to the kitchen with a mission. The result is this hearty yet soft loaf with chewy bits of wild rice, nutty whole wheat, a touch of honey, and a pinch of thyme. Let your bread machine do the kneading, then bake in your oven to golden perfection. If you’ve got leftover cooked wild rice in the fridge, this recipe is a great way to use it. And if you brush slices of this loaf with browned butter …well,...

Are you as picky about the texture of your bread as I am? Don’t get me wrong—I love big airy holes in a classic sourdough or ciabatta. But when I’m making sandwich bread or soft dinner rolls, I want a smooth, even crumb. No holes—or worse, tunnels. Nobody wants mayonnaise dripping out of a sandwich or jelly leaking through their toast. Recently, I discovered a slick hack that’s made a big difference in the texture of my sandwich loaves and rolls. Here’s the trick: When the DOUGH cycle...