Thank you Mary Jane! I am not (totally) crazy afterall. I have been baking bread for awhile, never so successful with cookies for some reason, but, YES, this article was very helpful. Am using that Paul Hollywood lovely (as he is ;) whole wheat bread recipe (the super simple quick one with the 7 teaspoons of yeast in recipe) and the flour does seem to 'top out' in 25 to 35 mins, as opposed to the hour rise time suggested in the recipe. From now on, will use your suggestions and follow instincts.

I admit I hand squish the butter into dry mix until adding water to then mix and knead, do not like using mixer, don't actually have one, maybe this is why the bottom crust is a bit tough??...but taste is always good! All the best, Kathryn

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