I grew up always sifting flour before measuring when baking anything. Is it necessary when baking bread?

(Disclaimer: This discussion applies only to bread, not pastries, cakes, or cookies)

Two reasons you don't have to sift flour when making bread:

1. According to Bon Appetit: "Modern techniques have improved significantly...most commercial flour is refined and clump-free, meaning there's no real need to sift it."
2. Weighing is the new "measuring" method for bread (for my American readers). If you want to be more than a one-trick pony when it comes to baking bread, a digital scale is essential.

🤔 It just occurred to me that bread machines are often sold with measuring cups. What a mistake! If I sold those machines, I would include a free digital scale. I bet there wouldn't be near as many bread machines in garage sales. (I would also remove the "bake" button, but that's a topic for another day.)

One caveat: If you happen to purchase a bag of flour with lumps, go ahead and sift it (place a big sifter over a big bowl and stir with a whisk until all the flour goes into the bowl.) You still need to weigh it when you make bread, but it will mix easier when added to your bread machine.

Find links to my favorite digital scales in my Amazon Store. Unfortunately, I can't make it link through email, so type Amazon Store SaladinaJar into the search box.

See this post if you have more questions about measuring flour for bread,​

If you want to practice weighing flour, try my recipe for Easy Enough Bread Machine Pretzel Dough for Buns or Rolls.

What readers say about Bread Machine Pretzel Buns:

Saying good-bye to my rusty old sifter,

Paula

p.s Thank you for sharing this email and recipe with your favorite bread-baking friends.