Bread Baking for Beginners: How to Make Dough in a Stand Mixer | Tips & Tools for Perfect Bread

Baking fresh bread at home is one of the most satisfying kitchen skills to master. Whether you’re making classic sandwich loaves, rustic artisan bread, or my personal favorite—sourdough with a mother starter—a stand mixer can be a game-changer in streamlining the process. If you’re ready to mix, knead, and bake with ease, let’s break down how to make dough in a stand mixer and why it’s worth the investment.

Why Use a Stand Mixer for Bread Dough?

Mixing and kneading dough by hand is a rewarding process, but it can also be time-consuming and physically demanding. A high-quality stand mixer takes the effort out of kneading while ensuring consistent results. The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is my go-to recommendation for home bakers, as it provides the power and capacity needed for various bread recipes, including heavier doughs. If you’re still weighing your options on which stand mixer to choose, be sure to check out my Stand Mixer Guide to help you make the best decision for your baking and budget needs.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

For the best-tasting and healthier option bread, opt for organic, non-GMO ingredients. They not only enhance the flavor but also keep unwanted additives out of your food. A healthy mother starter is essential when making sourdough—one that’s been well-fed with quality flour and filtered water. 

Some must-have ingredients include:

  • Organic Bread Flour – Higher protein content helps with gluten development. (Try this organic bread flour for a great rise.)
  • Filtered Water – Chlorine can weaken your starter, so opt for filtered or spring water.
  • Sea Salt – Enhances flavor and supports fermentation. (I recommend this mineral-rich sea salt for the best results.)
  • Natural Yeast (for non-sourdough bakers) – If you’re not using a starter, choose a high-quality yeast. (Check out this organic dry yeast for reliable fermentation.)

Step-by-Step: Making Bread Dough in a Stand Mixer

1. Gather Your Equipment

Before starting, make sure you have everything ready:
✔️ A stand mixer with a dough hook attachment (I love the KitchenAid Artisan for this!)
✔️ A large mixing bowl
✔️ A bench scraper for shaping dough
✔️ A proofing basket (This one is great for maintaining shape.)

2. Mixing the Dough

  1. Measure Your Ingredients – Accuracy is key in baking. Using a digital kitchen scale helps ensure consistency.
  2. Combine Ingredients in the Mixer Bowl – Add your flour, water, salt, and starter (or yeast) to the bowl.
  3. Mix on Low Speed – Using the dough hook, mix on low (speed 2 on KitchenAid) until a rough dough forms.
  4. Increase Speed & Knead – Let the mixer knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, or until it’s smooth and elastic. (If you need a mixer with extra power, check out the Kenwood Chef Titanium for heavy-duty doughs.)

3. First Rise (Bulk Fermentation)

Transfer your dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise for 1-2 hours (or longer for sourdough) until it doubles in size. Temperature fluctuations in your kitchen—whether from drafts, heating, or cooling—can affect the rise of your dough. If you’re serious about fermentation, a proofing box can help maintain the ideal temperature for consistent, reliable results. Check out this proofing box here to keep your dough in the perfect environment for fermentation.

4. Shaping & Final Proof

Once your dough has risen, gently shape it into a loaf or round, being careful not to deflate it too much. If you want a beautifully shaped, well-structured loaf, using a proofing basket is an excellent choice. The basket helps the dough hold its shape while it continues to rise, creating those desirable artisan-style edges. After shaping, cover your dough and let it rise again for another 30-60 minutes, or until it has puffed up and is nearly doubled in size. This second rise is crucial for developing the texture and crumb of your bread.

5. Baking

Preheat your oven to 450°F (for sourdough) or 375°F (for sandwich loaves). Getting the oven hot enough is essential for achieving that perfect rise and golden-brown crust. When baking sourdough, a higher temperature encourages a crisp, caramelized crust while maintaining a tender crumb inside. For sandwich loaves, a slightly lower temperature ensures even baking without over-browning the outside. Bake your bread until it reaches a deep golden-brown color and develops a crisp, satisfying crust—this should take about 25-40 minutes, depending on your loaf size and oven. For extra-crusty loaves, consider baking in a Dutch oven, which traps steam and creates a beautiful, rustic crust. The even heat distribution in a Dutch oven gives your bread that ideal crackling texture and color, making it worth the investment for serious home bakers.

Tips for Perfect Bread Every Time

✔️ Hydration Matters – If your dough feels too dry, add a bit more water. If it’s too sticky, dust with flour.

✔️ Use a Dough Scraper – Makes handling wet dough easier. (Get a durable bench scraper here.)

✔️ Invest in a Bread Lame – This helps create those beautiful artisan-style slashes. (Try this easy-to-use lame for precision scoring.) I prefer the shorter handled versions.

✔️ Patience is Key – Resist the urge to slice into your bread right away! Let it cool for at least an hour or two to avoid that gummy texture. It’s tough to wait, but trust me, it’ll be so worth it to enjoy a perfect loaf!

Final Thoughts: Is a Stand Mixer Worth It?

Absolutely! A stand mixer saves time and effort while giving you more consistent results. Mixing and kneading dough by hand can be tiring, especially if you’re making larger batches or heavier doughs. A stand mixer takes the physical strain out of the process, allowing you to focus on shaping and perfecting your loaves. Plus, it ensures that your dough is mixed and kneaded evenly, resulting in a uniform texture every time. If you’re a beginner looking to level up your baking or even a seasoned pro wanting to save time, I highly recommend the KitchenAid Artisan or Kenwood Chef Titanium. Both offer excellent power, durability, and versatility, making them ideal for a variety of bread recipes. With the right stand mixer, you can achieve bakery-quality bread at home with less effort and more consistent, professional results.

Want to know more about choosing the perfect stand mixer for your needs and budget? Be sure to check out my other blog post, The Ultimate Stand Mixer Showdown: Find the Perfect One for You!, to help guide your decision.

Ready to start baking? 👩🏽‍🍳

Shop My Recommended Bread Baking Tools:

✔️ Stand Mixers: KitchenAid Artisan or Kenwood Chef Titanium

✔️ Flour & Yeast: Organic Bread Flour and Organic Dry Yeast

✔️ Proofing Tools: Proofing Basket and Proofing Box

✔️ Baking Tools: Dutch Oven, and Bread Lame, and Bench Scraper, and Food Scale

Bread baking is easier than you think! Level up your kitchen skills with these guides:

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