Steam Bread: Slow Cooker Style

Steamed bread is a great option for those without access to an oven, or for when it's too hot to bake. It's also a fun experiment for those who are curious about alternative ways to bake bread. The bread is baked above water in a pot, which makes it flavourful and moist.

You can use a slow cooker to make steamed bread. The process is simple and the results are delicious. All you need is a slow cooker, some bread dough, and a few basic ingredients like yeast, sugar, oil, and flour. The dough is prepared and allowed to rise, then placed in the slow cooker and baked for around two hours. The slow cooker method creates a soft, moist texture similar to that of a steam bun.

So, if you're looking for a fun baking project or an alternative to oven-baked bread, give slow cooker steamed bread a try!

How to make a simple dough for steam bread

Making a simple dough for steam bread is easy. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, gather your ingredients and tools. You will need:

• Yeast (active dry yeast or instant yeast)
• White granulated sugar
• Oil (canola or vegetable)
• Bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
• Salt
• Lukewarm or warm water
• A crockpot (slow cooker)
• An 8x4-inch bread pan or loaf tin (optional)
• Parchment paper (if not using a bread pan)

Next, make your bread dough. In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. You can also add in the sugar at this stage if you like a sweeter bread. Stir with a whisk. Slowly pour in the water and stir with a wooden spoon until well blended and the dough forms into a ball. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest on the counter for 8-18 hours. This slow rise will allow the dough to develop gluten and double or triple in size.

Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. With floured hands, flatten the dough and fold it over onto itself a couple of times. Shape it into a ball or an oval/round loaf, depending on the shape of your slow cooker. If using a loaf pan, place the dough in the greased pan. If not, place a piece of parchment paper in the crockpot and add the dough to that.

Cover the loaf pan or crockpot and let the dough rise again for about 1 hour. This is the second rise, which gives the bread a lighter texture.

Now you are ready to steam the bread. Place a trivet or a heat-proof rack at the bottom of your slow cooker and add enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the mold or pan. Place the mold/pan with the dough on the trivet, cover the slow cooker, and steam on high heat for 2-3 hours, depending on the size of your mold/pan.

Finally, remove the bread from the slow cooker and let it cool. You can lift it out using the parchment paper or oven mitts if using a loaf pan. The bread is now ready to be sliced and served!

Note: Some slow cooker models require the pot to be partially filled with liquid to avoid safety issues. Always check your manufacturer's instructions before attempting this recipe.

The benefits of using a slow cooker

Slow cookers are a convenient and efficient way to prepare meals, offering a multitude of benefits for busy individuals and families. Here are some advantages of using a slow cooker to prepare meals like steam bread:

Convenience and Time Savings:

Slow cookers allow you to prepare a meal in the morning and come home to a hot, delicious dinner. This is especially useful for busy individuals and families who may not have the time to cook during the day. With a slow cooker, you can start the cooking process before leaving for work and return to a ready-to-eat meal, eliminating the temptation to eat out or opt for fast food.

Enhanced Flavour and Tender Meat:

Slow cookers are known for their ability to bring out the true flavours of ingredients. The low and slow cooking process allows for the proper distribution of flavours, resulting in tasty and aromatic meals. Additionally, slow cookers are excellent at tenderizing tough meats. Cheaper and leaner cuts of meat become smooth and tasty after being cooked for an extended period.

Healthy Cooking:

Slow cookers promote healthy eating by preserving the nutrients in food. The low cooking temperatures prevent the breakdown of nutrients and reduce the production of potentially harmful chemicals that can be emitted at high heat. This makes slow-cooked meals a healthier option compared to other cooking methods.

Energy Efficiency:

Slow cookers are more energy-efficient than standard ovens, helping you save on energy costs. They use less energy to cook meals, and because they are often used to prepare meals in bulk, you can further reduce energy consumption by cooking fewer meals throughout the week.

Ease of Use and Cleaning:

Slow cookers are easy to use and require minimal preparation. You can simply add your ingredients, select your settings, and let the cooker do the rest. Additionally, slow cookers typically have only one pot to clean, reducing the amount of mess and cleanup time compared to more complex cooking methods.

How to prepare the slow cooker for bread

Preparing your slow cooker for bread-making is a simple process. First, you'll want to gather your ingredients and tools. These will include your bread dough, a slow cooker, a bread pan (if you want a classic loaf shape), and parchment paper (if you're not using a bread pan).

Next, prepare your bread dough according to your chosen recipe. This will typically involve mixing your dry ingredients, adding in your wet ingredients, and allowing the dough to rise. Once your dough is ready, you can begin to prepare your slow cooker.

Line the bowl of your slow cooker with parchment paper. This will make it easier to lift the loaf out of the slow cooker and prevent it from sticking to the bottom. If you're using a bread pan, you can place it inside the slow cooker and skip the parchment paper step.

At this point, you'll want to preheat your slow cooker to its highest setting. The exact temperature can vary between models, but most slow cookers reach upwards of 200°F on their HIGH setting. This temperature aligns with the target internal temperature for baking most breads.

Now your slow cooker is ready for baking! Place your dough inside, cover with the lid, and let the baking begin!

The best types of flour to use

The best flour to use for making steamed bread depends on the type of bread you want to make.

For a basic steamed bread recipe, a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour works well. This combination gives the bread a light and fluffy texture while adding some extra nutrients and flavour from the whole wheat.

If you're looking for a more traditional white bread, bread flour is the way to go. It has a higher protein content, which creates a chewy texture that is characteristic of classic bread loaves.

For those who want to experiment with different flavours and textures, there are many types of flour to choose from. Rye, corn, and spelt flours can add unique flavours and colours to your steamed bread. You could also try using a gluten-free flour blend if you're looking for a bread that caters to specific dietary needs.

When making bread in a slow cooker, it's important to note that the bread may not brown as much as it would in a traditional oven. This is because slow cookers heat up more slowly and don't get as hot as ovens. If you desire a golden, crispy crust, you can try placing the loaf under the broiler for a few minutes after it has finished cooking in the slow cooker.

How to tell when your bread is baked

There are a few ways to tell when your bread is baked in a slow cooker. Firstly, you can check the internal temperature of the loaf with an instant-read thermometer. A baked loaf will have an internal temperature of 190°F to 200°F. Secondly, you can assess the appearance and texture of the loaf. The top of the loaf will feel soft but no longer spongy to the touch, and the bottom will be hard, slightly browned, and crusty. If you prefer a darker crust, you can place the loaf under the broiler for a few minutes after removing it from the slow cooker.

The baking time for bread in a slow cooker can vary, so it's important to check the loaf periodically to avoid undercooking or overcooking. In general, bread baked in a slow cooker will take between one and two-and-a-half hours to cook, but this can depend on the size and model of your slow cooker. Therefore, it's a good idea to check the loaf periodically, especially towards the end of the cooking time.

Additionally, you can perform a similar check by gently tapping the bottom of the loaf. If it sounds hollow, the bread is likely done. This method, along with checking the internal temperature, is a good indicator of doneness, as the appearance of the bread in a slow cooker may not change significantly during the cooking process.

Finally, you can also use a skewer or toothpick to test the doneness of the bread. Insert it into the centre of the loaf, and if it comes out clean without any wet dough stuck to it, the bread is likely done.

Frequently asked questions