The scent that wafts through the home after baking bread in the kitchen and the flavor and texture of freshly baked bread make the whole experience worthwhile.
And this kitchen experience of baking bread is made even easier when your KitchenAid Stand Mixer and the dough hook attachment takes over the laborious task of making and kneading the dough.
But, how long do you need to knead bread dough in a KitchenAid mixer? Today, you’ll learn how long to mix heavy dough for bread making or pizza dough using your KitchenAid stand mixer.
How Long Do You Need to Knead the Dough?
If you’re interested in making cupcakes or cookies, dump all the ingredients into the mixer and leave it to work its magic. Bread is not as easy as placing all the ingredients into the mixing bowl, using the dough hook, and turning it on.
It is composed of two proteins that are combined to create gluten. Suppose you work the dough into a smooth, even texture and allow the gluten to grow. This results in elastic structure and strength within the dough when bread making. Your dough will become soft, flexible, smooth and the trapped gas allows it to rise when baked.
Your primary concern should be regarding the type of bread you’d like to bake. It is crucial to know the different kinds of bread flours and how much gluten is present. This factor plays a huge role in deciding how much time to let the bread knead.
Here at Kitchen Ratings, we have tried various bread recipes using the KitchenAid stand mixer. Our tests will let you know how these flours function and the time it takes to mix these doughs.
Kneading Bread Time for Flour Type and Gluten Content
All ingredients, including the flour used in a recipe, can affect the mixing and kneading time. Here are some examples:
Plain/All-Purpose Flour
It is the most sought-after flour to bake everything from bread to cookies. This flour’s high protein and gluten content helps absorb liquids and water and create the proper structure. This means that the bread dough is quickly and easily mixed.
So, when using plain or all-purpose flour in your bread recipe, it can take anywhere between 7 and 10 minutes to complete the mixing and kneading procedure using your KitchenAid mixer.
Bread Flour
Because it is made of gluten-free wheat, bread flour contains increased protein. When you mix bread flour with yeast, you’ll get a chewy texture because of the gluten. The bread flour dough can be mixed quickly and requires less time to knead using the stand mixer.
Depending on the prototype you choose, it can take 10 to 12 minutes to knead with the stand mixer.
Whole Wheat Flour
While milling wheat grains, you get whole grain flour. The resultant dough is stronger and more brittle and requires more time to mix as it holds more liquid. This means you must mix the all-wheat dough with a greater duration of about 12-15 minutes.
KitchenAid’s Speed for Kneading Dough
The most effective way to determine how well your dough has been kneaded is to be aware of its texture instead of the length of time required to work it. The wet dough should feel soft and flexible. If the dough doesn’t stick to the bowl and is wrapped over the dough hook, then prepare it for proofing.
Based on the KitchenAid stand mixer you are using, the dough must always work with the slowest speed: Speed 2.
How to Knead Dough in Your Mixer Stand
Mix the wet ingredients, and then dry the ingredients. Combine the mixture for about 1 to 2 minutes at a speed of 1 and utilize a paddle attachment.
Allow it to rest for 5 to 10 mins. Switch on a dough hook, and mix at high speed for 3 to 5 mins.
Let the dough sit for at least 5 minutes before repeating the kneading for another two to five minutes. Make sure to check the dough frequently to see if it is soft and smooth.
If the dough needs mixing, stop the mixer for five minutes before kneading for another five minutes. Repeat this process until the dough is thoroughly kneaded. Knead for around a minute with hand, and then set in the fridge to proof.
In general, simple flour dough such as pita, white or French bread can be made in 7-10 minutes. The time for kneading will be increased to 12-15 minutes when you are working with stiffer dough like whole wheat bread, seed bread, or wet doughs like sourdough. Breakfast roll and cornbread dough can be kneaded in just 5 to 7 minutes.
Is it Preferable to Mix By Hand or Using a Stand Mixer?
If you make your dough by hand, it takes about fifteen to twenty minutes for the gluten to work and allow the dough to become soft and supple. Additionally, you need to frequently stop to let your sore shoulders and arms some time to recover. Stand mixers do a better job of mixing. It can be done within 8 and 15 minutes.
Conclusion
Your KitchenAid stand mixer will knead the dough in just minutes, a much faster kneading process than by hand. However, the time to knead will vary based on the flour you use, the type of dough, and the model of stand mixer you purchase.
More powerful and larger mixers are more effective at kneading bread dough than smaller stand mixers with weaker motors.
Now that you know the time to knead bread dough using your KitchenAid mixer, it’s time to start baking!
