When your BREAD DOUGH just doesn't look right - 216

It's SO ANNOYING isn't it? When you get some SENSE that something's wrong with your bread dough? Maybe it feels a little too dry, or too wet and sticky, but you can't quite put your finger on it. Here's how to find out EXACTLY what (if anything!) went wrong, and how to fix things from there.
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[@sharonirvine2899]

I’m a 65 yr old starting to learn how to make bread when I was told about this great video on sourdough starters… this was the beginning of an amazing relationship with bread and an energetic, vibrant young man that just brightens my day every time I watch him. Thank you Jack, your knowledge is unbelievable…you encourage me and add a smile to my face everyday as I watch these wonderful videos 😊

[@junecheong3370]

Totally agreed with all that's been said.

[@brendadodd1075]

Welcome! I started at 61

[@Bakewithjack]

Thank you so much Sharon :-)

[@Drew-mr6tr]

You've just cracked me up with the margarine comment. Who would use something like that , 1 molecule away from plastic.. I have forgotten the salt before. Not good. But sliced up and lathered with "Garlic BUTTER" and toasted. MMMMMHHHH. I'll continue to watch the video now.

[@ronmcc100]

Leaving "Cups" for weight was a BIG improvement in my breads, switching to METRIC system improved it even more! Good advice! I try not to notice "minor" inconsistencies with my bread dough with the little white lie to others as "It's artisanal bread!", but on the inside, I try to figure out what I did wrong, different, or find what else is different. Sometimes these little "accidents" give us something new and better (?)! Best reason to keep a Bakers Log Book. Mise en Place! Is the mark of a PRO!

[@ericegli2738]

You are so helpful to so many people, and you ask nothing in return. You are wonderful. Glad you are better!

[@burnscheadle]

Thanks Jack-over the course of lockdowns and all the other thrills of the past couple of years, you have been a reliable injection of wisdom, sanity and many chuckles into my homebaking learning curve. This video, however, OMG-SO GOOD! I look back on my early days of bread making and the anxieties when I thought something was wrong. Thanks to your videos, book and the Homebakers Club, I have become much more relaxed and confident and if something feels a bit skew whiff I no longer break a sweat-just take a note and get on with it. Thanks brother for all you taught me!

[@padiwari62]

You probably forgot the most important one: Make sure the batteries on your scale are still ok 😄!

[@gwenscoble6229]

🤣🤣🤣 Yes, been there. I've had 3 sets of electronic balance. They fail, you put in a new battery, still doesn't work, buy anothet new battery (40 mile tound trip) still doesn't work, replace balance. After 3, I bought a balance and weights! It never fails, needs a battery etc. Also my nieces learn grammes, lbs and ozs just weighing one against the other. OK, they don't tarre and flour, sugar etc get in places that aren't easy to clean, but they don't go pfutt if they get wet! They don't turn off if you get called away either! 🤣🤣

[@clare82]

I just bought your book and am making your sourdough recipe today. I've made your recipe before when it was on your web site, and it makes a fantastic loaf, better than other recipes that I've tried from other books. It's so funny that I can hear your voice when I read your words; I'm sure it's because I've watched so many of your videos. You are a delight to watch and learn from. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and putting it out their to the masses. We appreciate you.

[@Bakewithjack]

It's my pleasure Clare, thanks so much I hope you love it :-)

[@bcvahsfam]

I ALWAYS get nuggets of wisdom from you, Jack! :) You also make me smile and often laugh out loud. You are a great teacher and entertainer. Your explanations are very clear. Thank you for this video. I often find myself in this exact situation. I will now hear your voice in my head as I am working and hopefully follow your advice.

[@kaseybriley2854]

This is my favourite video! Thank you for the comment about the different types of bread doughs having different hydration! I was making sourdough bagels for the first time and found the dough was far stiffer than I'm used to. Your comment made me feel so much better about it. PS They turned out perfect.

[@swc2019]

Such simple yet often overlooked bits of wisdom! Thank you, Jack!

[@brendadodd1075]

I totally understood. What you said. Thank you

[@Bakewithjack]

PHEW! Thanks Brenda :-)

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Thank you Jack! Yes, you look much better this time! 🙂 Ah! And we're back in synchronicity! My bread is proofing as I watch. ☺️ Blessings always! 💜

[@DartmoorPaul]

Your videos are just wonderful. Love them, Jack. You always bring a smile to my face even on a wet, miserable July day in Devon. Now to make that bread ❤😊

[@Bakewithjack]

Go for it, it'll warm you up :-)

[@calmeilles]

"I don't know what to tell you…" You tell 'em, *_Buy some scales!_* 🤣

[@Livingtabitha]

Omg I’m laughing right meow. I just made a huge batch of bierocks using your simple bread recipe. I use it for everything. So I went to spray my amazing buns and realized I sprayed them with cleaner. My cleaner has a green label and my water has a grey label. Welp. No fixing that. I had to throw all my bierocks out. It was a sad moment. However I had some buns left over so I covered them in butter and honey and baked them and they came out fantastic!

[@hollylaw8272]

I'm a poor stubborn American.. I have to use cups until I can afford a kitchen scale. Glad you are feeling better!

[@gigi3242]

seeing your bruises made me sad, but also made me grateful that you had not been seriously injured; it could have been so much worse. Glad to have our cheeky Jack back.

[@Showard4743]

Commenting for the butter. Butter is love!

[@suzycoons9450]

So glad you have recovered from your fall. Love your videos.

[@rachelabel1262]

Great video! Very helpful!

[@lornaschauseil9074]

This was one of your best Jack. Thanks

[@robinwatson5970]

I forgot to thank you for the laughter, you always make me smile

[@Bakewithjack]

My pleasure Robin :-)

[@helenedesmarais8697]

You are a delight, (with real butter ), as always. It brings pleasure inside when listening. Thank you so very much.

[@pekvale8255]

NOW I know what to do...weigh everything!!! Thanks Jack!

[@philclemmons]

You explained it beautifully and logically. Thank you.

[@22anamae]

Thanks for continuing to share your helpful videos ☺️

[@jasminhewitt3451]

thank you for this video I have learned now why my bread dough is sticky and what to do next time when I make bread you are a lot of help with making bread and sourdough as well love what you do keep it up

[@corasantos4872]

WOW! It's such a great class, thank you.

[@fictitiousnightmares]

8:23 I like my Country Crock thank you very much. :P

[@Jerry10939]

I was taught in culinary school, to add either flour or water a tablespoon at a time until it seems right. I have done that and my wet dough came out perfect. But I took notes and will try your method next time.

[@Millstone_Firewood]

Excellent! Thanks for this!

[@Bakewithjack]

My pleasure :-)

[@wendycolglazier381]

I truly appreciate your humor! Thanks for the tips!

[@Bakewithjack]

My pleasure Wendy :-)

[@Dollcan]

This is a great video. So many things that I’d guess at and make a further mess. Now, I’ll write it down, pre measure and enjoy the process.

[@suemerritt1679]

Weighed ingredients helped me in the beginning. Much later I have finally learned how the dough should feel... Magic! 🥰

[@southwife]

Perfect!!

[@robind.5370]

Great video! Such helpful information! You explained it all perfectly! Thank you!

[@Bakewithjack]

Thank you so much :-)

[@kb2vca]

Thank you , Jack, for a very clear ... and entertaining... video.

[@Bakewithjack]

You're very welcome, thank YOU for letting me know it was okay :-) :-)

[@nimblenemo]

This came in a week too late 😂. I just threw a bowl of dough that I had kneaded for 30 minutes no less! Got fedup, chucked the dough and decided I’ll follow the measurements next time.

[@gailgulliver8970]

Thank you Jack so glad your do well now .xxx

[@Bakewithjack]

THanks Gail! :-)

[@robinwatson5970]

Yes, you’re looking very well. Back to your handsome self. For the first time ever I had dough that I couldn’t explain what happened, the dough was so loose, I must’ve done something wrong, but I was not sure what. After mixing the starter with the water, I realized I had used ounces for the starter and not grams. I went ahead and finished but the pre-and final steps were very difficult. But after a night in the refrigerator, I baked it and it’s not bad, my feeling is that sourdough does forgive you. But thank you very much for this video, extremely helpful.

[@Bakewithjack]

Aha! Nice one, sounds like you got away with it, satisfying when you find the fault after a little investigation isns't it :-)

[@ireneblackie4955]

Hi Jack you’re an absolute star, I’ve made several sourdough breads and happy with my starter, which is always ready when I want it. But I did make one loaf which was a bit tasteless… why….. I had forgotten the salt, this was fixed with a sprinkle of good quality salt over the butter (we now only buy unsalted butter, for the very reason so we know there’s decent salt going in it).

[@chrisivens3413]

Sound advice Jack. All of that should give people the tools to fix issues without stress and hopefully without binning anything. Well done.

[@pamfeldman7327]

You’re the best!

[@MrShinentwist]

Yes I need to start keeping a baking journal! I’m really enjoying the Homebakers Club! I’m going to make the Banana bread tomorrow!

[@Bakewithjack]

YAY! Thank you :-) Hope it came out well!

[@spacial2]

Another winner Jack. Thanks for the 216th time!! If I may, another suggestion for dry or wet dough; climate. I've found dough reacts differently in summer and winter. But especially between sea level and mountain kitchens.

[@kellieflores8657]

Love this one, Jack! Very helpful and informative. You're looking as handsome as ever, btw!

[@Bakewithjack]

Thank you!

[@suehedges436]

Brilliant Jack, as always. I love your approach to ‘faff’ leave it out! It’s good to see your face looking so much better. This was really helpful and very entertaining. 😊

[@Bakewithjack]

THank you Sue :-)

[@davidclark9086]

Great video with tons of good info. The best advice for many things in addition to bread making is to buy a notebook and use it. I would also add to time and date stamp the entries for future reference.

[@Bakewithjack]

Notes sre SO POWERFUL, good shout David :-)

[@konrai1972]

I forgot my yeast and didn't realise until it was supposed to be bulk fermenting but nothing was happening. I added the yeast to about 5 tbl of water and added a bit more flour till it felt right. Loaves came out great.

[@mandiigraham1596]

Great info here. Weigh - calculate - correct. Such an obvious thing to do, so simple. Hands up, how many of us never thought to do this ✋

[@anthapersephone7311]

I just don’t have a decent set of scales jack, just. I know ok. But it’s metric cups for the foreseeable future. So, this is a handy video

[@user-cm5rm3pg7e]

Brilliant Jack I love your easy manner and am also a ‘Lock Down’ baker and always telling people to follow you. My general line is ‘he’s not just my Go To baker, he’s also my Life Coach as well 👨‍🍳👍.

[@Bakewithjack]

Thank you so much :-)

[@karenpage9383]

Here's what I want to know... I live in a very humid area and I believe this influences the feel of the dough. Recipes calling for cups of flour usually give a range, say like 4-5 Cups, so I add 4 Cups and mix, and if the dough is not becoming smooth or pulling away from the mixer bowl, I add additional flour a little at a time until it reaches the consistency the recipe author describes in the recipe (usually a smooth dough, unless otherwise stated). But in recipes that call for you to weigh your ingredients, it doesn't allow for adjustment if its been raining for a week and you feel like you are baking in a tropical rain forest. I use my mixer to help my arthritic hands out, but always hand knead some before shaping. I believe I end up using excessive amounts of flour on the counter in the kneading process on those recipes that I trust the weights, whereas I could have adjusted in the bowl if I felt I had the permission of the recipe when it provides a range. So the question is, if you were baking in extreme weather (either very humid OR arid), would you tweak the recipe or be a stickler to the weights, and how would that affect the end result. The times I have stuck to the recipe, I ended up using an unknown amount of flour on the counter top trying to get the dough into a condition that it would shape up, so now I've still tweaked the recipe, but in a way that is hard to document for future reference.

[@stephenmcculloch1915]

It’s a good idea to weigh your empty mixing bowl and write the weight in the back of your notebook. That way you already have it when you need it and don’t have to scrape your mixture into another bowl to weigh.

[@Bakewithjack]

GREAT idea Stephen :-)

[@prenticecrerar1441]

Zero the scales, if you have digital. Much easier.

[@lornawallace2566]

Forgetting to add salt is my common error!

[@jvallas]

I'm sure this isn't recommended, but I tend to add water and/or oil if it's dry, or I add flour if it's wet. I'm just lazy.

[@anthapersephone7311]

Oh for gods sake now I need a bread journal

[@anthapersephone7311]

Brilliant excuse to use fountain pens though

[@pino_de_vogel]

Always start from a "to wet" stage if you try something new. So keep 2 tablespoons flour to the side. you can always add in flower easy but adding in water is a lot more bothersome.

[@Bakewithjack]

Nice tip Pino :-)

[@Kay-du4ll]

Well...I have to admit. I'm the "dump in what's missing (wet/dry) and keep dumping until the dough feels right". As you can see, I'm not a perfectionist. 😉😜And....I rarely stress about mistakes. But I will say this is still a helpful video bc it makes you think AND most importantly - you are fun to watch!! Keep up the great work and glad you have healed up!

[@Bakewithjack]

Thank you :-) :-)

[@maxineb9598]

Things like altitude and weather can make a difference to dough no matter how accurately you weigh stuff.

[@GrantBakes]

Oh boy, Jack. I thought you had found a magic way to take an accidental extra ingredient out of the dough 🤣

[@Bakewithjack]

Haha! Not yet! ;-)

[@superstitiousfishes1247]

in my experience, if i simply follow the recipe precisely (bake with jack) it never looks "not right." so my first suspicion if it's not right would be "did i follow the recipe?"

[@garystevens8494]

Love making bread made a cheese loaf yesterday weighed my jug as well as the water so left dough dry lol

[@Bakewithjack]

LOL been there! ;-)

[@mimmociaccio5470]

Hi Jack sorry i did not whatch it! Flour is flour not ! Strenght was it mention CRUCIAL.

[@vickiturner9392]

Hello Jack. I’m Vicki from Brisbane Australia. I have made your starter from scratch but it won’t rise at all and there is no smell to it whatsoever. I don’t know what I’m doing doing wrong. I will keep feeding my starter and starts a new starter off as well. Kind regards.

[@MM-zp1ol]

Looking good Jack..well better than you did 😂. Thanks for another fun video. You make everything so much easier and certainly less stressful. I'm still enjoying the process and now haven't bought a shop bought loaf since 2020 first lockdown. My bread is so much better than the c**d in the supermarkets! 😊

[@Bakewithjack]

YESSSSS! So chuffed you are enjoying it :-)

[@NiceLoki]

What did you do to get a black eye?

[@prenticecrerar1441]

Pleased to hear you weigh water (milk is the same to all intents and purposes). 1 litre (1000ml) is 1000grams. I weigh the oil directly into the well of flour in the bowl. Saves washing another dish/spoon. Because I use 250g of wholemeal and 250g of white bread flour then I find 315g of water is better. Mungoswells flour. I start the yeast off in 215 g of cold and 100g of boiled water and half to one teaspoon of sugar. Wait until it froths. Then add the oil and then the yeast/water (1 level teaspoon of yeast is sufficient. Even 0.5 teaspoon.) It just takes a bit longer to prove. I fully agree with measuring. That way you can adjust for the flour you use and like you say, make notes..

[@rllewis]

For no-knead baguettes, if I don’t use 400g of water to 500g of flour, the bread turns out too dense and without air holes. But the dough is sticky and hard to work with.

[@helenedesmarais8697]

80% hydration = ok for big holes but sticky. To tame the beast, try the Richard Bertinet method of kneeding. It really works. I oil very lightly my hands and counter. His YT channel have very detailled videos.

[@rachellemazar7374]

This was great for me, first off, pre-weighing the ingredients! Second, get a note book and a pencil😃

[@karter1825]

Help Jack! I’ve completely mastered the sourdough starter, even doubling to 100g. (Thank you) But I’d like to know how can I make 200 to 300 grams? Is it as simple as just add that much to the scrapings and it will be ready in the morning or would the scrapings not be enough to feed that much flour/water add? Maybe I need to have 2 separate jars of starter. Please let me know! Thanks Jack!

[@criswilson1140]

When I grew mine to 400 grams, I just made a 400g ball of the scrapings, flour and water. It took about 2 days before it smelled right and then I started using it.

[@karter1825]

@@criswilson1140 ok so you grew the starter. Oh goodness! I think I was over thinking it. Thank you!

[@DartmoorPaul]

Hi Jack. I’m making your whole meal sourdough for the second time and it’s still really wet and not rising. I’ve weighed the ingredients and it’s bang on. My starter was really bubbly. But it’s so wet that after 3 hrs (1 +1.5 +.5) it’s still just a wet flop in the bowl, holding together and stretchy but no rise or shape (unlike your over fermentation video). I’ve decided to just put it in the fridge overnight and see what happens tomorrow. Was that right? Thank you 😊

[@Bakewithjack]

That is exactly what I would do. Take plenty of notes and next time reduce the water by 20 grams or so untill you get to a dough that is manageable, hope that helps!

[@DartmoorPaul]

@@Bakewithjackthank you you so much. It wasn’t fixed this morning so having another crack tomorrow 😊👍

[@judystennett6020]

You look great even with a banged up face! Thanks for the info!

[@amyb7207]

I live in a very humid climate. Is that going to affect my dough?

[@Bakewithjack]

Hmmmmm tricky one since I don't have the experience, I suppose it might be stickier to the touch, make your dough as I do mine, note some observations, and you'll have more experience than me :-)

[@user-cm3kt4nl5n]

Had a potentially bad bread day recently that might amuse you.. I wanted to take a loaf to my brother and was making a multigrain loaf (Dan Lepard) and realised too late that I'd weighed up 200gm of wheat/rye grain required in the recipe, then cooked/soaked it and the next morning bunged the lot into my dough... by which time it must've weighed more like 300+ gms. Well, rather than waste it as it was full of lots of good things I carried on, but just in case of a disaster decided to make a stonebaked bloomer (yours, from Bread Everyday) but halve the ingredients to make just one .... again I realised TOO LATE that I'd put in the whole quota of olive oil. So I did what you say in the video... added the other half of the ingredients again, without the olive oil.... Well, the end of the story is that the multigrain loaf was a little bit weird and didn't rise a great deal but actually tasted okay, and the two bloomers were fab - my brothers both thought I'd bought them from a fancy artisan bakery.... ho hum.

[@mauianneme]

How do you find out how much a dough is supposed to weigh, especially if the recipe is written in cups/tops, etc? Along those lines, how do you convert a recipe from cups to grams since you mention that different flours have different weights?

[@mauianneme]

Teaspoons, not tops (autocorrect)

[@lornaschauseil9074]

I also wonder about this since I am trying different flours. I found 4 different organic strong bread flours and wonder about the difference in weight. The loaves are coming out differently and now I am assuming it is the weight. Can you just take a cup of flour and weigh it to get an accurate grams per cup?

[@maxineb9598]

​@@lornaschauseil9074I wrote to Red Star Yeast to get how much one😅 of their cups of flour weighs and how many mls in a cup. They had measurements in cups for their older recipes but now they include weights.

[@latieplolo]

Where was this video when O started baking and I thought bread flour was just more expensive AP flour and kept ripping my hair out wondering why none of my breads had any strength?

[@SarahK86]

Here in Ontario Canada AP flour and bread flour have the same protein content.

[@mimigrabner4486]

Why not butter??? It's called being allergic to dairy 🧈

[@brunaprocopi]

I’m going to ask an expert…does it make a difference if you sift flour in a yeasted recipe? 😮😮😮

[@SarahK86]

No. It doesn't make a difference. I'm not an expert though but that's what I've heard a lot of times.

[@NiceLoki]

Sifting has 2 reasons that I am aware of: 1. It removes any flour pests, mites, etc. and lumps and foreign debris 2. It helps to add a bit of air and lightness to the mixture which is more important for cakes and pretty much pointless for bread (IMO).

[@kenwalter915]

I don’t get it, your videos have thousands of views and only a few hundred likes. Come on people! Smash that thumbs up button!

[@NiceLoki]

I had a go at making a sourdough for the first time last week. Big fat fail! I watched all your videos about making the starter and got really excellent results with my starter, it was nice and excited, lots of good bubbles and volume growth. But when I made the dough it just did not rise in the slightest over the many hours of resting and folding. I gave up, left it overnight and came down in the morning to an over prooved bowl of mess. Fortunately I went into it with very low expectations, I had heard somewhere that most peoples first attempt fails, but I confess that it has put me right off trying again. I can't justify all that time commitment and ingredients on the possibility that it may or may not work.

[@paulzsoka9037]

👍👌🏻