Teresa, this bread is so good even after making major screw ups. Decided to try it in the bread machine on dough cycle with baking in the oven. Just as I was preparing to drain the fruit and add it, I found out a person I'd contacted about getting some fertile chicken eggs from to set under my broody hen had six for me. Out of show quality roosters and for free. And he said come and get them now. The bell rang for the addition of the drained fruit and nuts. I knew I hadn't drained the fruit enough, but I was in a hurry. Took off and halfway to my destination realized the dough cycle would be over a good while before I'd get back home. Sorry, but I really wanted those special eggs. The guy showed me all his show birds and got a lot of info from him. By the time I got back home I think the dough cycle had been done for two hours. I had a very wet dough that had risen in the pan then collapsed. Oh well, try to save it. Dumped it out on a liberally floured surface and kneaded in more flour, put it in the pans and let it rise. It did rise a little over the top of the pans.Tried my best and stuck it in the oven. It came out at 25 minutes completely done and beautiful except I didn't get the fruit and nuts distributed well. I've already eaten nearly half a loaf. Love it! Next time I think I'll add more cinnamon, follow the recipe on draining the fruit and not running out in the middle of it to get fertile eggs. Madonna

Zojirushi makes two sizes in bread machines. The large one does bake a horizontal loaf and is an excellent machine. But, like many of the others here, I used it most for the dough cycle and then shaped and baked the bread in my regular oven. The large machine is large and expensive. It takes up a lot of counter space and it heavy, so moving it in and out of a cabinet would be awkward. I had this machine for a while. But, we are empty nesters moving to a condo, and I could not justify the space for this machine. I purchased the smaller mini ZO, which makes a 1# loaf or up to 1.5# of dough, and it is wonderful. It has some features not available on the big Zo-- the french bread cycle kneads and bakes a perfect "crusty" small loaf, just right for 2 to 4 people. And I really like the dough cycle. Just last week, I made two loaves of semolina foccacia for a dinner party. I made them one at a time on the dough cycle, the first one shaped and baked while the second was kneading. Still left me lots of free time for other stuff and I had two gorgeous fresh loaves of bread for a large gathering. I keep my small Zo inside a lower cabinet and it lifts out easily with its attached handle. The footprint is small. If you read the ratings on Amazon, there are some complaints about the large ZO, but ratings for the small ZO are 100%. My only concern, not a complaint, is that when it was kneading the semolina dough which was very stiff, the machine did walk a bit. So, I keep it well back from the counter edge. (My KA mixer has done the same thing.) The mini Zo had no trouble kneading the stiff dough, nor did it overheat. Either Zo is wonderful, so it depends on your "kneads" ;-) and available space.

for those who have never make 'no knead bread' it is the 5 min a day artisan bread. mix it up one day (5 min) leave on the counter for 14 to 18 hours later then either use it form a loaf (5 min) and let it rise.... or refrigerate it (5 min) and use it within the next 7 to 10 days from the frig. By leaving it on the counter for 14 to 18 hours mother nature does the kneading. Also refrigeration afterward for any amount of time is an additional cold fermentation. I do whole wheat, spelt flour (ancient wheat), & a wonderful rye. Easy to add herbs, grated cheese, seeds. Picture of rye attached. I also use the same no knead artisan bread recipe for baguettes, pizza dough, rolls, ciabatta, & fougasse. There is also a sweet dough version with milk instead of water and a bit of honey and an egg.

"The Bread Lovers Bread Machine Cookbook" has a lot of good recipes, and I've liked everything I've made from it. I found the Dummies book very annoying, probably because I am not a dummy and should have considered that before I bought it. I personally would be insulted if anyone gave me a dummy book. It's okay to buy it for yourself, but I think it may send the wrong message if given as a gift. I also got rid of my bread machine and now make most of my bread dough in my Kitchenaid mixer. Actually, the machine died and I decided not to replace it. I mixed most of the dough before I put it in the machine anyway, and I found that it did not save me much time. I did like it for making pizza dough, but I'm fine making that with my mixer as well. I still use the Bread Lovers recipes when making bread in my mixer.