|Flour is used as the main ingredient for many types of food items including breads, rolls, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, cakes, pastries, and pasta. Some food items, such as cakes, waffles, and pancakes, require only a batter to be created, which is usually liquid enough to be poured, while foods such as breads, rolls, and pasta require a dough to be formed, which is a heavier mass that usually requires some kneading or rolling. Described below are several methods for combining flour with other ingredients to create batter or dough.|
Manual Mixing - Bowl | Manual Mixing - Pastry Blender | Manual Mixing - Flat Surface
Standard Electric Mixer | Heavy-Duty Electric Mixer | Food Processor
Manual Mixing in a Bowl
|One of the simplest methods for combining flour with other ingredients is by stirring the ingredients together in a bowl. This method often works well for smaller quantities of batter or for batters that do not require a lengthy time for mixing and blending.
Manual Mixing with a Pastry Blender
Manual Mixing on a Flat Surface (Well Method)
Mixing with a Standard Electric Mixer - Batter
|An electric mixer is often used when a larger quantity of flour and other ingredients are required for a recipe or if the ingredients require thorough blending.
Mixing with a Heavy-Duty Electric Mixer - Dough
|A heavy-duty electric mixer with a paddle attachment and a dough hook attachment can be used to combine flour with other ingredients to form dough for bread making.|
|The flour and other dry ingredients should be mixed briefly on a low speed using the paddle attachment.
|Add the liquid ingredients and continue mixing on a slow speed.
|When the ingredients are blended, stop the mixer and replace the paddle attachment with the dough hook attachment.
|Raise the speed of the machine to medium and mix the ingredients until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
|If the dough is too dry, it will not form a ball. To moisten the dough, add 1 teaspoon of water. If the dough is too sticky, add 1 teaspoon of flour.
|Continue to add more water or flour until the dough is the correct consistency. The entire mixing and kneading process requires only 6 to 8 minutes for most basic bread doughs, but make sure to follow the instructions on the recipe. Use a spatula or a dough scraper to remove the dough from the dough hook.
Mixing with a Food Processor
|Another handy method for mixing flour with other ingredients is with a food processor, which combines the ingredients quickly and easily. Be sure the food processor is fitted with a plastic dough blade or a metal chopping blade if dough, rather than a batter, is being prepared.|
|Add the flour and other dry ingredients to the container and switch on the machine. Gradually pour the liquid ingredients through the feeding tube while the machine is running.
|Continue to process the ingredients until the dough forms a ball and begins to ride up in the center above the blades. If the dough is too dry, it will not form a ball. To moisten the dough, add 1 teaspoon of water. If it is too sticky, add 1 teaspoon of flour. Continue to add more water or flour until the dough is the correct consistency.