Hi Friends, As promised, this is the follow-up to the email I sent a couple of weeks ago. Previously, we talked about why a loaf of bread collapses inward on the sides after it’s baked and removed from the pan. You can read it here. Today, I’m exploring why the top of a home-baked loaf of bread lifts off—sometimes evenly, but more often just on one side, and sometimes quite dramatically. 1. The crust set too early.If the outside firms up before the inside finishes expanding, trapped steam and...

Hi Friends, I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to get serious about baking fantastic bread. Quick clarification before we dive into this tricky topic:I’m not talking about loaves that sink on top—that’s usually overproofing. Check out the right side where the loaf is starting to cave in. I’m talking about loaves that look fine out of the oven, then cave inward on the side as they cool. That kind of collapse almost always points to a structure problem, not fermentation....

No matter where you are on your bread-making journey, I’ve got a Christmas-morning-worthy recipe for you — whether you’re baking for brunch, snacks, or something sweet to nibble while the coffee brews. Beginning Bread Bakers Start Here: Easy Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls with a Secret Ingredients A great make-ahead option for beginners. Mix the dough the day before and bake in the morning. The secret? A tiny pinch of cloves (optional) that adds warmth without shouting. Click to see the recipe...