Home & Kitchen
6 Best Stand Mixers for all Types of Bread Dough
There is a distinct magic in making your own bread at home.
That satisfying aroma fills your entire kitchen. Your loved ones waking up to the smell of sweet bread in the morning is a perfect pick-me-up for everyone in a bad mood.
It is very dreamy, right? But the process may not be so if you don’t have the suitable mixer for kneading, it can be a nightmare. That’s why it is essential to get the perfect partner, a stand mixer that completely understands kneading dough. And we have the perfect choices for you.
Top Choices: Best Stand Mixers for Every Home
Ankarsrum Assistent Original
This is a powerhouse stand mixer and a total game-changer when it comes to baking bread. That’s why when it comes to commercial-grade breads and those who are very serious about baking their own breads, we highly recommend this bad boy.
What makes it unique is the 1500W motor in the base and the rotating bowl. This feature allows you to effortlessly knead large batches without the motor overheating or the machine wobbling. This is brilliant if you are working with tougher doughs such as rye and sourdough breads.
By no means is this a set it and forget it machine, that you have to keep in mind. It might need a wee bit more effort from your end. It is designed in such a way to make room for more hand kneading action. But the results can make it worth your while; you will not mind the little trouble you have to initially subject yourself to.
Also, compared to the average stand mixer, this can help you create bigger batches of dough all at once. Bigger, tougher doughs, and it will not even overheat, even with the intense and prolonged mixing. This is not for the weak, as you can see. This mixer is built for power and performance.
Get this if you need to tackle and routinely bake sourdough or artisanal breads that have high hydration. If you require baking multiple loaves at once, this can be a time saver and a real game changer.
Skip if you hate the learning curve and if you just need to bake a quick loaf of bread once every few months.
KitchenAid KSM70SKXX
This is a Kitchen Aid stand mixer that is built to be a workhorse. If you need a more heavy duty mode that can help you bake more frequently, we highly vouch for this one.
The Ankarsrum is for bread purists, but this KitchenAid mode is a versatile multitasker, ready to take on just about anything, especially tough doughs. The motor is heavy duty and has sufficient prowess to tackle dense bread doughs or knead larger batches of cookies at the same time. This retains the classic planetary motion as with the other modes of the brand, but it has a more competitive edge for bakers who need a more powerful machine.
It is also equipped with a commercial grade spiral dough hook, which rids the pain of most mixers pushing the dough up the hook and into the mixer’s gears rather than actually kneading it. This can help develop gluten faster and more efficiently than any model of the brand.
Get this if you need a traditional stand mixer, but need it to be more powerful and more efficient in kneading dense dough. This also pretty much excels at everything. So if you bake more than you need and need a more traditional approach, you will get your money’s worth with this.
KitchenAid Pro 600 KP26M1X
This is another KitchenAid mixer that is built to handle artisanal breads and those with tougher and denser doughs. The bowl lift design makes it very accessible, and you can make more loaves at a time.
The motor is quite durable for contents and prolonged kneading; it will not overwhelm the unit at all. As with the previous model we have discussed, it has an all metal gear that makes it more resistant to continuous kneading. Those with more plastic parts are not up to this type of task. So if you need a workhorse, you are looking at one.
This is a more classic stand mixer compared to the KSM70SKXX. The latter is a more refined upgrade, quieter and a tad bit more amenable for bigger batch baking. Though the KP26M1X is also a beast, it is just an older version and uses classic parts and systems.
Bosch Universal Plus
For hardcore bakers, this Bosch model is going to be very popular. It is notorious for its unique design. This sets it apart from the other powerful brands of stand mixers we have in this list.
This mixer approaches the dough bottom up rather than the traditional top down technique of kneading. This unique approach is fast becoming an artisan baker’s favorite as it can have many advantages over the traditional approach.
This presents no structural strain, and you will be able to knead the dough faster, thus less strain.
This stand mixer is also equipped with parts that can make kneading bigger batches very fast and sweat free. It has dual dough hooks and extenders. As the hooks spin, the dough is also stretched and folded at the same time. Thus, resulting in a perfect gluten stretch at a fraction of the time.
Get this if you regularly bake larger volumes of bread. And if you often bake dense breads such as rye, whole grain, and need the fastest gluten development, you will not be disappointed.
When not to buy it? If you want a more aesthetic mixer, then this might not be eye candy.Bosch CreationLine, MUM Series
If you are into precision baking, then this is a mixer that you have to watch out for. It is built for that, and when you need one of the most efficient stand mixers on this list, this is it.
It kneads the dough in a more upgraded manner, very different from how traditional mixers do. This model has 3D planetary mixing. This means that the dough hook moves in three dimensions simultaneously.
This type of kneading mimics hand kneading the most, making sure that you get that satisfying gluten pull at the fastest time. This perhaps can give you that perfect gluten structure.
This is a lightweight and more compact choice. It is made for efficiency and is very suitable for those who don’t have much space on their kitchen countertop for a new mixer. And since this is compact, it is not made for large batch baking.
Procook Stand Mixer Gun Metal
If you are on a budget but need a high-powered mixer that is very adaptable, we highly recommend this. This is also a pretty piece and can be a contender if you are going for power, aesthetics, and value at the same time.
This is also remarkably sturdy and built to last. It even resembles the aesthetics of more high-end brands, but without the high-end price. It is also equipped with a larger stainless steel bowl that allows you to bake larger batches of bread.
Get this if you are a homemaker who needs to bake breads, even larger batches regularly. Do not buy this if you deal with dense breads such as whole wheat and sourdough breads.
Buying Guide: What We Paid Attention To
Here are the metrics where we based this best list.
Power and efficiency
We went on a hunt for stand mixers that can help make your life faster and sweeter in the kitchen. This the need to include mixers that are powerful enough to meet the demands of even the busiest home bakers.
If you are also a budding baker starting in the kitchen, you may even be able to use one of these workhorses of a mixer for your business.
Whichever is your requirement, be it making larger batches of bread or tackling denser and tougher doughs, you can find what you need in this list.
Traditional vs modern approach
Stand mixers are built differently. There are traditional units that have a more straightforward and old-fashioned system that many home bakers are accustomed to. But there are also modern designs and upgraded systems that can be more ideal for your baking needs and circumstances.
Thus, the need to include both traditional and the upgraded models. This ensures that everyone’s bread-making needs are met.
Value for money vs steep price
We also considered everyone’s budget when making this list. While we all want a luxurious mixer sitting in that shiny kitchen countertop in all its glory, sometimes, money is an object.
The KSM70SKXX is a very luxurious piece, perfect for those who have a specific budget for a mixer. It’s probably one of the best all-around mixers, but you have to pay a hefty fee. But if you still value aesthetics and need a workhorse for your demanding bread making needs, the Pro Cook Stand Mixer is a very reliable choice.
The Best Stand Mixers for all Types of Bread
Choosing the right mixer ultimately comes down to your baking needs and personal preferences.
How busy is your kitchen every morning? How often do you bake bread? Do you often deal with tough doughs? Are you going for a more aesthetic piece? These are the questions that you must ask yourself.
Choose the workhorse that can supply all of your bread-baking needs, and of course, your budget at the same time.
