There is no better place to start bread making than by kneading your dough by hand.  It gives you a real feel for the transformation that takes place when wheat flour and water are combined. Even if you use a stand mixer or food processor to mix your bread dough or even if you try the no-knead method, you will learn a great deal about bread making from kneading by hand at least once.

Here is a step-by-step illustration of kneading by hand using our recipe for Butter Topped Toasting White Sandwich Bread.