When your bread turns into a disaster make CROUTONS!

Hey All,

I made the Italian bread again Thursday thinking that maybe the reason for it not turning out good the first time was because the humidity was so high that day. It took more than the 40 minutes it said to rise maybe a couple hours but it looked nice and I took the damp towel off of it and watched as it fell. What am I doing wrong? I used the bread machine for the dough part and followed the instructions. Mom thinks it's either because I'm using the machine or maybe the yeast or flour. I don't know! I don't have a manual for the machine but it says right on it what to put in first to last when you press the select button. I'm stumped why the bread keeps falling! It was almost dinner time so I just went ahead and baked it the kids laughed at the site of it when it came out of the oven. I cut it into strips and they used them as breadsticks to dip in their spaghetti sauce. Yesterday morning I started chopping up the rest of the bread into small cubes to make croutons. Waste not want not! As I was mixing the butter, garlic salt, onion salt, and parmesan cheese into the cubes I thought oh some French Onion soup would be good with these. Nope I didn't have all the stuff for it. Colin was excited to see the croutons when he got home. That child would rather munch on them than chips. I know he is weird this is the same child that can't stand French Fries and wants his happy meal to come with a salad instead. When we go to McDonald's I order him a chicken nugget happy meal and get apples instead of fries and I also have to order him a side salad to go with it.

Croutons

bread (any kind), cubed ...I like mine a little stale
1/2 stick to whole stick of butter ...depends on how much you are making
garlic salt
onion salt
parmesan cheese

Cube bread and place in mixing bowl. Add melted butter and mix until coated. Add garlic salt, onion salt, and parmesan cheese. I don't have extact measurements for this I just sprinkle it over it toss it around and then sprinke some more and mix again.

Put on a baking sheet in single layer and put in a 300 degree preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes and turn and bake for 30 more minutes. Now you do have to keep an eye on this because there have been times when I have had to take them out a lot sooner and other times where it's taken a little longer. Depends on the type of bread you are using. They will vary from a golden brown to a bit darker and be crunchy.

The recipe for the Italian bread is....


Bread Using a Bread Machine SUBMITTED BY: Destiny PHOTO BY: sar
"Wonderful Italian bread made in a bread machine then baked in the oven."

PREP TIME 20 Min
COOK TIME 35 Min
READY IN 3 Hrs 20 Min
Original recipe yield 2 - 1 pound loaves

INGREDIENTS
4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 1/3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons cornmeal

DIRECTIONS
Place flour, brown sugar, warm water, salt, olive oil and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.

Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Form dough into two loaves. Place the loaves seam side down on a cutting board generously sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise, until doubled in volume about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a small bowl, beat together egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the risen loaves with egg mixture. Make a single long, quick cut down the center of the loaves with a sharp knife. Gently shake the cutting board to make sure that the loaves are not sticking. If they stick, use a spatula or pastry knife to loosen. Slide the loaves onto a baking sheet with one quick but careful motion.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

I found it here and the reviews on it are all good
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Italian-Bread-Using-a-Bread-Machine/Detail.aspx

Anyone have any ideas why it's falling?

Take Care :)