Folding Bread Proofer and Yogurt Maker by Brod & Taylor and Soft and Moist Pumpkin Dinner Rolls recipe

Meet my new favorite kitchen product…the Brod & Taylor Folding Proofer, we truly get along so well, specially now that the cold months are here.  I love breads, and I mean yeasted breads that require proofing (rising) in controlled temperature and humidity.   So many variables in bread making, and the last thing that you don’t want to happen is not having the dough to not double in size after a minimum rising period.  Then one panics, and resorts to old tricks like having the bowl of kneaded dough rest with another bowl containing hot or boiling water to create steam inside the oven.  With buttery rich doughs like brioche and sweet doughs, it will be a challenge.  But not anymore with the Brod & Taylor Folding Proofer.  So many features I really marvel about this product.  Easy set-up, only need preheating and it even includes a water tray to create that humid environment that bread dough loves.  Easy storage, folds away easily, yes I repeat, folds to fit your kitchen drawers or cabinets.   No plastic wrap or damp cloth covers anymore and you can even keep an eye on the rising dough through the clear window on top of the proofer.  Not just for breads, this fantastic product is also great for tempering or melting chocolate, and making thick and creamy yogurt.  This Brod & Taylor proofer is definitely the perfect Christmas gift for bread lovers and bakers.  Highly recommended.  And enjoy the 4 You tube video series showing you the use of this product (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LLCt3MTY6U).

Thanks Katie Hlavinka of Avalon Communications for sharing this press release:

Brød & Taylor Proofer Affording Home Chefs Professional Bread, Yogurt and Chocolate Results
Flat-folding device a must-have for every health-conscious kitchen

Brød & Taylor’s Folding Proofer is making it easy for consumers to bake delicious, artisan breads with healthy ingredients in the comfort of their own home. Rather than purchasing off-the-shelf bread with superfluous and sometimes unrecognizable ingredients, at-home bakers can control exactly what goes into the finished product and onto the table. More than just for bread though, the multi-tasking proofer also enables the creation of creamy, homemade yogurt and perfectly melted chocolate!

The countertop proofer makes the task of from-scratch breads and pastries easier than ever before by affording individuals the same tools and techniques that professional bakers enjoy, most importantly, accurately controlled fermentation and rise temperatures with optimal humidity. As a result, consumers can produce the best flavors from their own sourdough, gluten free, whole grain or even artisan bread recipes and enjoy them warm, fresh from the oven without relying on high-end bakeries. What’s more, the proofer folds flat for storage so even the tiniest kitchens can take advantage of its bread-making benefits.

Healthy homemade bread isn’t the only chore the Brød & Taylor folding proofer accomplishes, though. It can also multi-task by providing a safe, controlled environment for making yogurt at home, excelling as a large capacity, versatile yogurt maker. With adjustable temperature control, the Brød & Taylor proofer is capable of making up to two gallons of fresh yogurt in only four hours, opposed to the 10-12 it can take when using conventional yogurt makers with smaller capacities. Consumers can also use their own glass containers, avoiding contact with plastic. Those that prefer longer culture times can lower the temperature for 24 hours or more. That’s good news for the 75 percent of consumers who, according to a 2011 Mintel report, eat spoonable yogurt. Armed with a Brød & Taylor proofer in their kitchen, consumers can make healthier yogurt at a fraction of the cost of store-bought.

The Brød & Taylor proofer also takes the guesswork out of melting and tempering chocolate. Unlike a microwave, which tends to overheat, or a double boiler, which is notorious for water seizing, the proofer melts chocolate gently at the ideal low temperature for both tempering and holding.

The accurate, low temperature control of the folding proofer enables an entire realm of additional kitchen tasks that involve fermenting or culturing including making tempeh, probiotic vegetables – even homemade soy sauce.

All of these capabilities will cause even professional bakers to wonder how they ever lived without the Brød & Taylor proofer in their home kitchens. “Genius design, I love that the proof box instantly folds flat and fits neatly in my tightly-packed kitchen cupboards. I have used it to proof bread and make batches of the most exquisite yogurt. It gives professional results at home.” Zoe Francois of zoebakes.com hails the product for its “genius design.” She raves, “I love that the proof box instantly folds flat and fits neatly in my tightly-packed kitchen cupboards. I have used it to proof bread and make batches of the most exquisite yogurt. It gives professional results at home.”

Health-conscious bread, yogurt, fermented food and chocolate lovers who would like to control the ingredients that go into their favorite foods while enjoying professional results can learn more about the Brød & Taylor proofer (MSRP $159) online at www.brodandtaylor.com.

About Brød & Taylor
Brød & Taylor’s primary mission is to assist people in efficiently and affordably creating wholesome recipes in their own kitchens by providing them with the tools they need to incorporate pure or organic ingredients. For additional information on the company, please visit www.brodandtaylor.com.

I chose a rich dough (with egg, milk, butter) recipe to try out Brod & Taylor Bread Proofer.   It was also a cold day (more cold days ahead!).   And these are always the very challenging conditions in making yeast breads.    Regardless, the Brod & Taylor delivered…the dough placed in large glass bowl doubled in size in 1 1/2 hours, awesome!

“Soft and Moist” Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 cup whole milk, heated in microwave to lukewarm
1 teaspoon sugar + 2/3 cup sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 large egg
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup bread flour
5 cups all-purpose flour (variable)
Additional 1/4 cup melted butter to brush tops of shaped rolls before and after baking

Set the proofer to 75 F and put the water tray in the middle of the warming plate with 1/4 cup water in it.  Place the rack on top of the tray.

Suspend yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm milk; let stand until foamy.  Combine remaining 2/3 cup sugar, 1/2 cup melted butter, pumpkin puree, egg and salt in a small bowl.   Place 1 cup bread flour and 3 cups all-purpose flour in a large bowl.  Add the butter mixture and yeast mixture.  Mix by hand or use a heavy-duty electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.   Add enough flour until a soft dough is formed.  Transfer to lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, springy and not too sticky, adding enough flour.   Form the dough into a ball and transfer to a lightly oiled bowl.  Allow the dough to ferment or rise in the proofer fot 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled.   Cut dough in 16 pieces and roll each piece into a ball.  Arrange 12 balls in a pam-sprayed 13 x 9 aluminum foil pan and remaining 4 rolls in a pam-sprayed small square pan.  Place the 9 x 13 pan in the proofer to let dough rise again for 30 minutes.  Cover remaining 4 rolls loosely with saran wrap and let proof.   Heat oven to 350 F.  Brush tops of the risen rolls with half of the melted butter.  Bake for 25 minutes or until golden.  After removing the rolls from the oven, brush again with the remaining butter.   Enjoy!