I have to confess something to you.
Until a few years ago, I had never seen an electric slow cooker with my own eyes!
And I had no idea what you could do with it.
Also known as an "electric casserole" or "multicooker", this cooking appliance allows you to slow simmer the dishes.
Fortunately, a friend told me about it and introduced me to its use.
When she told me that it was even possible to make bread with the slow cooker, I had very serious doubts...
I didn't think the slow cooker could get to a high enough temperature, I thought it was going to take too long, and I didn't believe the slow cooker could cook the dough on the inside and leave a nice crust on the outside.
But actually, I was totally wrong! Indeed, the electric slow cooker is quite capable of reaching a fairly high temperature and in addition it takes less time than using your oven because the time for the dough to rise is included in the cooking time.
The only real difference between baked bread and slow cooker bread is the crust. Once the bread is ready, it is more tender and has a slightly pale color compared to baked dough.
But just toast the bread in a mini-oven or on a toaster for 5 min for it to become perfectly golden and crispy.
I am now totally convinced by this ingenious cooking method. Especially during the hot months when it's too hot to turn on your kitchen oven.
And, since electric slow cookers are easily transportable , you can even wow your co-workers by baking bread under your desk! :-)
- 500 g homemade bread dough
- 1 sheet of parchment paper
1. Shape the dough into a ball shape.
2. Place a sheet of parchment paper in your electric slow cooker, then put the bread dough on the paper.
3. Set the temperature of your slow cooker to maximum and put the lid on the appliance.
Note: The intensity of the heat may vary depending on the model of slow cooker you are using. In fact, check the bottom of your bread after 45 minutes of baking, to make sure it is not burning. You may need 2 to 3 cooking attempts to find the ideal cooking time for your device.
4. Let the bread bake for 1 hour.
Note: Again, the exact cooking time largely depends on the model of slow cooker you are using. It may be necessary to increase or decrease this time by a few minutes to find the ideal cooking time.
If you use a dough made with whole wheat flour , the cooking time will be longer.
Once the bread is fully baked, its crust is smooth to the touch, almost like a brioche.
To check the baking of your bread, try to poke your finger into the top of the ball. If the dough has become firm, your bread is perfectly baked. If, on the contrary, it is tender and soft like mashed potatoes, let the bread cook a little longer.
5. If all went well, the underside of your bread is already nicely crispy and golden.
However, be aware that the top of the crust will be smooth and not really crispy. If you like bread when it's white and not overcooked on top, then you'll love this bread!
But if you're like me and prefer your bread crust to be browner and crispier, skip to step 6.
6. You can now brown your bread, under the broiler of your oven for 5 min. Position the rack in the middle of your oven.
If you don't have an oven, you can also use your mini oven or even a toaster like this one that has a special stand.
7. Let the bread cool completely before cutting it.
I know I know. Hot bread is so good! But when slow cooker bread is cut while still warm, the crumb will have a sticky, undercooked texture. So resist the temptation and let your bread cool.
There you go, now you know how to make delicious homemade bread in an electric slow cooker!
Believe me, there is nothing better than homemade bread sandwiches and toast :-)
To buy an electric slow cooker right now, we recommend this electric slow cooker.
Of course, you can also find them in specialist appliance stores.
Warning: To avoid damaging your appliance and to cook safely, consult the instructions for your slow cooker before trying this recipe. Indeed, this cooking method is not compatible with all slow cooker models.
And you, do you like this easy and quick cooking method? Have you tried it? Tell us what you think in the comments. We can't wait to read you! :-)
