I need raisin bread, stat!

July 3, 2009 5:18 PM

I've never used a breadmaker, so I couldn't resist the $6 Oster breadmaker at the thrift store today. I called the toll free number on the sticker, and found out it is complete (the only part is the breadpan) and 12 years old. The manual might not arrive for 4 to 6 weeks, and I'm dying to it out! Can anyone give brief me on how to work it, and give me their favorite raisin bread recipe? Thanks for your time!
posted by hollyanderbody to food & drink (13 comments total)

The Hillbilly Housewife's page on bread machines without a manual is super-helpful, and I've made this cinnamon raisin bread before with rave reviews.
posted by kro at 5:25 PM on July 3

Could this be your machine?
posted by contrariwise at 5:34 PM on July 3

You might also check on Diplodocs for your user manual.
posted by nightwood at 5:47 PM on July 3

Orange Sourdough Bread with Cranberries, Pecans, and Golden Raisins

1.5 pound loaf:

1/2 cup white flour sourdough starter
3/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
3 1/4 cups bread flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons bread machine yeast
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup chopped pecans

Place the ingredients, except the fruit and nuts, in the bread machine pan according to the order in the manufacturer's instructions. Set crust control to medium and program for the Basic Cycle or the Fruit and Nut Cycle. Start. In between the first knead and the second knead, add the fruit and nuts.

When the baking cycle ends, immediately remove the bread from the pan and place it on a rack. Let it cool to room temperature before slicing.
posted by netbros at 5:53 PM on July 3 [1 favorite]

NOTE!!! contrariwise has posted a PDF link! (thanks for the warning)

You may want to plug it in, fire it up and make sure the paddle goes around as it's supposed to. If not, there's a rubber band belt under the bottom plate which needs to be replaced (I got mine for free sitting by a dumpster at an apartment I used to live in - that was it's problem).
posted by torquemaniac at 5:57 PM on July 3 [1 favorite]

Well that sure looks like the 1999 Christmas gift I got from my mother-in-law!!!! I've only used it a handful of times and baked the loaf in the oven to boot. It does however make a good loaf of bread.? :/

I even have the manual sitting in the recipe book drawer.
posted by Gravitus at 6:38 PM on July 3

torquemaniac, I didn't post a warning because I didn't realize it was necessary. Apologies all around. Please delete if inappropriate.
posted by contrariwise at 7:10 PM on July 3

[There's nothing wrong with linking to PDFs. Carry on.]
posted by cortex at 7:14 PM on July 3

No prob. I always make a note of (pdf link) for those that don't want to tie up their systems (or crash their browsers). Carry on.
posted by torquemaniac at 8:15 PM on July 3 [1 favorite]

Google like mad. People that embrace the bread-machine lifestyle have populated the web with lots of content.

I'm a recent convert. I also have an Oster. I have tried a lot of recipes, but have settled on sourdoughs as my go-to bread. THey seem to make a chewy, stretchy crumb that other recipes fail to create. The main knock on breadmachine bread is that it's spongy. Not so with sourdoughs; they taste like earthy, rustic bread. So look for those recipes; you can even start your sourdough starter now.
posted by Miko at 8:19 PM on July 3

I use mine for pizza dough at least once a week.

1 cup water
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
3 Tbsp dried basil
3 Cups bread flour
1.5 tsp yeast

Put it in the pan in that order and hit the dough button. I find it's a better crust if I let it rest for awhile after it comes out of the pan, maybe half and hour. Bake at 450 on a pizza stone with whatever you want on top.
posted by jvilter at 12:54 PM on July 4

Do you know if yours is a 1.5 or 2 lb loaf? This makes a big difference.
posted by Decimask at 8:40 PM on July 4

OP here,
Thanks everyone! Contraiwise, no that wasn't the one, but thanks. I tried the Oster website, and couldn't find my model. The 800 number was stickered on the appliance, and I called them, and they sent the manual. Everything works great, and I've probably gained weight because of it!
Decimask, don't know the size for sure, but guessing 1.5

PSQ: Why must PDF links be forewarned?

Thanks everyone
posted by hollyanderbody at 9:19 AM on July 18