I received an email from Jim, a reader who had purchased a Bosch Universal Plus. He had questions about my Whole Wheat Bread Recipe. He asked what type of yeast I use and where I purchase dough enhancer and I thought these questions might be of interest to others.
The most economical place in our area to purchase yeast is Sam's Club. It is the Fleischmann's Instant Yeast and costs $4.68 for 2 x 16oz bags.
Once opened, I transfer the yeast from the bag to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It lasts for a long time!
While you may purchase dough enhancer, the most economical is the following homemade recipe.
📋 Recipe
Dough Enhancer
Ingredients
- ¾ cups lecithin powder or granules
- 3 Tbsp. pure vitamin C powder
- 2 Tbsp. ground ginger
- 3 Tbsp. cornstarch organic
Instructions
-
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.
-
Use 1 Tbsp. of dough enhancer for a 4 loaf recipe. Adjust the amount when making more or less loaves.
Notes
Ratio
This is used at about 1 tablespoon per 4 cups - or ½ tablespoon per 2 cups.
See this recipe for whole wheat sprouted bread.
Dough enhancer vs. conditioner
These are two terms that refer to the same thing.
Both as used to enhance or condition bread's taste, texture and baking process.
Is this gluten free?
Yes! The enhancer is gluten-free, but the rest of the bread recipe may not be.
Variations
There's a number of things you can add to bread to alter it's texture and taste, including:
- Apple cider vinegar: for helping the yeast, and overall health (same amount per loaf as yeast)
- Vitamin C: also assists yeast (note: only use apple cider vinegar OR vitamin C)
- Lecithin: softer texture, natural preservative (½ teaspoon per loaf)
- Ginger: fluffier, and mild preservative (¼ teaspoon per loaf)
- Potato flakes: fluffier texture (¼ cup per loaf)
Pat says
Great recipe, but my real question is about the Bosch. DO you have any suggestions for a place to acquire one for my wife that would be a good deal? I have seen these things in action and know we could really use it. Great for making homemade bread. I am also enjoying your post about your family. Having grown up in a large one myself,(Seven kids) I can relate quite a bit. Lots of fun.
Dina-Marie says
Hi Pat,
Pleasant Hill Grain is a great place to purchase a Bosch. I am not affiliated with them, they just have great prices as well as good customer service.
shirley prince callahan says
do you have a cook book with all of the recipes in it. I would love to purchase it if you have one published
thank you
shirley
Dina-Marie says
Shirley, I would love to publish a cookbook someday but do not have one yet! Thanks for asking!
christie says
I would like to know why the ginger is added to the dough enhancer? Is it absolutely necessary and does it change the flavor of the bread. I don't particularly care for ginger. Thank you
Dina-Marie says
Christie, the ginger does not affect the flavor of the bread - you are using so little of it you will never know it is there - but it does make a difference in how the bread rises and its texture.
Wanda says
Hi Dina-Marie,
I've been researching homemade dough enhancer. Your suggestion is the one I feel more accessible, just 4 basic ingredients. I tried it and really really like it. The texture is just like store bought. Thank you so much for sharing.
Christy says
Hello. Do you think it would be alright to substitute arrowroot powder for the cornstarch?
Dina-Marie says
Christy, I have never done it but I would certainly try it! If you do, please let us know how it worked!
Claudia Mortensen says
Thank you for your dough enhancer recipe. I am anxious to try it out. I make all of our bread and would like to know if you have some recipes to share. Thank you.
Dina-Marie says
Claudia, so glad it helps! I do have several bread recipes: Whole Wheat Bread, Sourdough Bread, Sourdough Bread Bowls, Sourdough Bread English Muffins.
Lorna Dopson says
Hello Dina-Marie
I don't care for brown bread. Would the enhancer be alright with white bread? I used to use soft bread enhancer till the manufacturer removed some of the ingredients (so I was told) and the enhancer is now a failure. I have made four loaves so far since I bought the new batch and they have all turned out heavy and sticky dough. Awful!
I would appreciate a response via e-mail so that I can make this recipe and use it asap.
Dina-Marie says
Lorna, I would think it would be fine - if you try it, please let me know!
Lephoinc says
Wow thank you so much for great recipes. I bought and tried all brand bread enhancers out there and nothing come close to your. I bake fresh baquette every for my restaurant thank to you my bread look and tast great thanks again.
Dina-Marie says
Lephoinc, so glad it helped!
Becca says
Hi! How much would I use per cup of flour? I am making a single loaf (appx 1.bs) of sourdough made with 100% fresh ground flour. Since your recipe says per 4 loaves, I’m not sure how much flour if in your four loaves. Thank you!
Dina-Marie says
Becca, I would divide the total amount by 4 to make one loaf. I hope this helps!
Billy says
I have the same question, how much enhancer per cup of flour?