Bread maker - do I need sugar?

[offthestickerchart]

Just bought a bread maker so that fussy 3yo will be eating soft white bread made by me and not processed by Mr Hovis. But the recipe says I need caster sugar. Is this what helps it rise and can I still make bread without?

The machine is a Lakeland Compact Bread Maker.

Thank you!

Yes, yeast won't work without the presence of sugar

I don’t always add all the recommended sugar but you do need some.

I never put it in and it works fine.

you don't need sugar

try it and see

The sugar is needed to react with the yeast to allow the bread to rise.

It's a chemical rather than a sweetener in bread making, IYSWIM.

If it's needed how come some posters say they don't use it? (Assuming your bread rises properly)

No, you do not need to add sugar.

When you had to activate the dry yeast I used a tiny amount of sugar (1/4 teaspoon in the warm water) to help it start. With the modern quick acting yeasts you don't need any.

yeast eats the sugar to make the bubbles so i am not sure if there's much left in the loaf at the eating stage. it's only 1tsp in my recipies for a large loaf to start with.

If you use quick acting yeast you do not need sugar.

I use this https://www.dovesfarm.co.uk/products/quick-yeast-1x125g

No, you don't need added sugar. Flour is almost totally sugars (carbohydrates) and that's what the yeast (any type) eats.

Ah ok, that Doves Farm one is the one I've bought! Thank you

You do need some sugar but tbh if your 3 year old is fussy & used to supermarket fluffy white bread that has lots of sugar in. Start with recommended amount then reduce gradually as your tastes get used to it.

You need suger - doesn't need to be caster though, normal granulated will do. On the occasions I've forgotten to add it my loaves don't rise properly. It's only 1tsp per loaf but makes a big difference.

going against the grain - you don't need to add sugar. white flour contains enough naturally to make the yeast work.
to make bread soft add milk or milk powder.

I read this as you being serious, but now on second thoughts I'm thinking sarcasm?

If you don't add a bit of sugar for the yeast to start feeding on then it might need a longer rise time to get going on the bread starches.

I make bread in my bread maker twice a week, using instant/quick yeast. I never use sugar and it always rises well.

If you use milk in the recipe, there are sugars in it that the yeast can eat.

I love our bread maker bread! You also have the opportunity to start adding tiny amounts of wholemeal flour and increasing it gradually so it's more nutritious. You can make rolls really easily too, lovely - DC can make them into funny shapes.

Out of interest anyone want to share any recipes without sugar would be great 👍🏼

I don't think it can digest lactose.

Sugar generally improves the bread, but not essential

I just half the quantity of sugar needed

I use fresh yeast and no sugar.

Salt is essential (for me).