The Cuisinart CBK-110P1 might look like a compact bread machine with a small footprint, but it can bake a 2-pound loaf in its vertical bread pan. It has 12 menu options that include settings for making gluten-free bread loaves or preparing artisanal dough. This Cuisinart CBK-110P1 review looks at its features and bread maker settings before reaching a verdict.
Cuisinart CBK-110 or CBK-110P1?
Please note that Cuisinart has discontinued the CBK-110 model, and has replaced it with another model number: the CBK-110P1.
At a glance, I cannot see any difference between these two bread machine models. They seem to be exactly the same, although there might be some tiny difference in the specifications that I am not going to try and find at this moment.
Cuisinart CBK-110P1: Best Features
- 12 menu programs including Gluten-Free, Artisan Dough and Packaged Mix.
- 13-hour delay start timer.
- 15-minute power failure backup memory resumes bread making cycle if power is restored quickly.
- Audible signal and LCD alerts for adding extra ingredients or removing kneading paddle.
- Stainless steel exterior looks good on any kitchen counter.
- Viewing window and interior light make it easy to monitor the bread making cycles.
Cuisinart CBK-110P1: Menu Options
The Cuisinart CBK-110P1 offers the user 12 menu settings for making bread, preparing dough, cooking jam, and baking cake. Below, I will provide an overview of all the menu options.
White Bread
The first menu program is for bread made with all-purpose flour or bread flour. You can press the COLOR button to select a light, medium or dark crust color for the bread loaf. Three loaf size options are available for making a 1-lb, 1.5-lb or 2-lb loaf.
French Bread
The second program makes bread with a light, crispy crust. French bread usually contains only the four basic ingredients: water, salt, flour and yeast. It is made without added sugar or fat. You can press the loaf size button to select one of three loaf sizes according to how much flour you used. However, the crust color setting is unavailable because French bread normally has a light crust color.
Whole Wheat Bread
The third menu option is a whole wheat bread setting for making a recipe that contains more than 50% whole wheat flour.
Ultra Fast Bread
The fourth program is for making a 1-lb or 1.5-lb bread loaf in a total time of about two hours. You have to use rapid rising yeast instead of standard yeast. You can modify a recipe for this menu option by simply replacing the standard yeast with an equal amount of rapid rise yeast. However, do not use this program for gluten-free recipes.
Sweet Bread
The fifth menu option makes bread recipes that contain lots of sugar, fat or protein. These bread loaves usually have darker crusts and more volume due to the extra sugar and other ingredients. Therefore, this menu setting offers the choice of making either a 1 pound or 1.5-pound loaf. You can still choose one of the three crust colors.
Gluten-Free Bread
This is the sixth menu program is a gluten-free setting. It is used for making gluten-free bread recipes. However, this program can only make a 1.5-lb loaf. Three crust colors are available.
Artisan Dough
The seventh program is an artisanal dough setting for preparing an artisanal dough recipe. The program mixes and kneads the dough before letting it rest and rise for five hours. It does not have a baking cycle, therefore you should shape and bake the dough in the oven.
Dough
The eighth menu option is a dough only program. You may use it to prepare various kinds of dough. It takes a total time of 90 minutes to finish the dough.
Jam
It might sound strange to cook jam in an automatic bread machine, but it is a practical way to make simple homemade jam. The paddle stirs the ingredients while the heating elements cook it without the risk of burning. The jam program needs only 80 minutes from start to finish.
Packaged Mix
You can use this program to make a bread loaf from a prepackaged yeast bread mix that is intended for an automatic bread machine. One-pound mixes are not recommended, but 1.5-lb and 2-lb packaged mixes produce better results.
Cake
In the beginning, I thought that the Cake program was for making cakes! How silly of me, because a wedding cake in the shape of a bread loaf will not go down well. The Cake program is actually for making batter breads which has a soft texture similar to a cake. These quick breads use baking powder or baking soda and eggs instead of yeast. Extra nuts or fruit are added in with the other ingredients at the beginning instead of later in the process.
Bake
The twelfth and last menu option is a bake only function. If you purchase dough from a shop, then use this baking function to bake it.
Cuisinart CBK-110P1 vs. CBK-100
It seems like the Cuisinart CBK-110P1 might be a replacement for the CBK-100, seeing as the CBK-100 model has been discontinued. However, it is not simply an upgrade because its dimensions and features are different. The Cuisinart CBK-110P1 has a smaller footprint because its control panel is more compact. Nevertheless, there are a few similarities.
These Cuisinart bread makers both offer 12 menu programs, three loaf sizes, three crust colors, a 13-hour delay timer and a 15-minute power failure backup. However, the menu programs are not exactly the same because the sequence and names are slightly altered.
For example, the CBK-100 has a Rapid Bake option, while the CBK-110P1 has an Ultra Fast program. The CBK-100 also has a Pasta Dough option for mixing and kneading pasta dough. The CBK-110P1 does not have this menu option, but it has an Artisan Dough program. Nonetheless, the Cuisinart CBK-110P1 seems like a worthy successor to the popular CBK-100.
The control panels of these Cuisinart bread machines have the usual buttons and LCD. I just want to point out that the SIZE button of the CBK-110P1 also has another function. It turns the internal baking chamber light on or off. The Breville BBM800XL is the only other bread machine that, to my knowledge, has an internal chamber light.
What are the pros and cons of the Cuisinart CBK-110P1?
The Cuisinart CBK-110P1 bread maker has a nonstick coated pan that allows loaves to slide out easily. The control buttons are clear, and the included recipes produce consistent, reliable results. The instructions for adding ingredients and removing the kneading paddle are easy to follow. However, the audible tones for the fruit and kneading paddle alerts are identical, which can cause confusion.
The Cuisinart CBK-110P1 bread machine has a small footprint and stainless steel design. One downside is that the vertical loaf shape is nearly square, making slices difficult to fit in typical toasters.
Though quieter than some models, it can make some noise when kneading. To prevent movement, place it near the back of the counter during kneading cycles.
Cuisinart CBK-110P1: My Verdict
The Cuisinart CBK-110P1 has a compact vertical design with a small footprint that requires less counter space even though it needs more headroom. Therefore, it might not be the best choice if you want to use it underneath overhead kitchen cabinets. Nevertheless, the CBK-110P1 is an attractive stainless steel bread maker that works well for making either dough or bread loaves.
Overall, the Cuisinart CBK-110P1 is a quality bread machine at a reasonable price, and is highly recommended for beginners. Shop now on Amazon (paid link).