Hello Friends,

I hope your summer (or winter, to my southern hemisphere friends) is off to a good start. After taking a break and a nice vacation, I came home with a rip-roaring case of acute bronchitis.

This isn't my first go-around with the stuff, but it's been a while, and I forgot how long it takes to get over the coughing. Thankfully, I'm on the mend.

Reader Question: Can I substitute oil for butter in a yeast bread recipe?

Substitutions can be challenging. Since I can't test for every possibility readers can imagine, here are a few principles to help you decide for yourself.

BUTTER:

• Adds unequaled melt-in-your-mouth flavor

• Contains a small amount of moisture, which can lead to a higher rise.

• Source of Vitamin A

• Contributes to a golden brown crust

OIL:

• You may need to add more flour when substituting a liquid (oil) for a solid (butter, lard, or shortening). Watch the dough as it kneads in the machine to determine if more flour is necessary.

• Oil (like butter) moisturizes, tenderizes, and helps keep bread fresh longer

• Different oils contribute varying degrees of flavor--choose accordingly

If your recipe calls for less than ¼ cup of butter (using 3-4 cups of flour), you can probably substitute oil if you are OK with the flavor difference. Certain breads with larger amounts of butter, such as brioche, croissants, and rich dinner rolls, depend on the unique characteristics of dairy butter. Substituting oil is not recommended.

See the recipe below for an example of delicious bread made with oil.

How To Make a Hearty Rye Bread Recipe (Bread Machine)

Learn how to make a Hearty Rye Bread recipe that lets your bread machine do the hard work of mixing and kneading. Shape by hand and bake the loaf in your oven to ensure a predictable outcome. The dense crumb is by design and makes a sturdy loaf for sandwiches.

Blessings,

Paula

​