A recent survey from Lakeland found that 31% of UK adults say they’re cooking from scratch more than a year ago, rising to 35% compared to two years ago and 44% compared to five years ago.
It may explain why sales of bread makers, soup makers, slow cookers and yoghurt makers are soaring – and why this compact model has seen a staggering 776% year-on-year sales increase.
First impressions: small but mighty
Lakeland has a huge range of bread makers, from the super-fancy to the small and simple.
The Compact Loaf Bread Maker (£69.99) is definitely on the smaller side.
At 31 x 21.5 x 25cm, it’s genuinely compact. My kitchen worktop is already battling for space with a KitchenAid, coffee machine and air fryer, so the fact this slots neatly into a corner is a big plus.
It also doesn’t feel like an appliance you have to permanently “commit” to displaying – it’s light enough to lift in and out of a cupboard without a struggle.
Despite its smaller footprint, it doesn’t look flimsy. The white finish is simple and clean, and the viewing window on the lid is surprisingly satisfying – I may or may not have stood watching the kneading cycle longer than necessary.
The smell alone is worth it
There is something deeply comforting about the smell of fresh bread baking. The first time I used it, I set the delay timer before bed and woke up to that warm, bakery-style aroma drifting upstairs. That alone felt like a lifestyle upgrade.
It makes a 1lb (500g) loaf, which I actually prefer to the larger family-sized versions.
It’s enough for a couple of days for two people and freezes well if you want to slice and store it.
How easy is it to use?
Very.
There are 11 pre-set programmes covering everything from basic white and wholemeal to French-style and gluten-free.
The controls are straightforward tactile buttons on the top, and each programme comes with a recipe in the booklet.
I started with a simple white loaf. It was genuinely a case of adding the ingredients in the order listed, selecting the programme and pressing start. No kneading, no guesswork.
There’s also a knead-only setting, which I used for pizza dough. That alone makes it feel more versatile than just a “bread-only” gadget, and has considerably speeded up our Saturday night pizza parties with the kids.
Full control over ingredients
One of the main reasons I wanted to try a bread maker was to cut down on ultra-processed foods. Shop-bought loaves often contain additives, preservatives and more salt than I’d like.
With this machine, I’ve experimented with wholegrain flour, mixed seeds and a handful of olives.
Knowing exactly what’s in the loaf feels reassuring, especially if you’re baking for children or managing dietary needs.
The gluten-free setting is also a big tick for households that need it.
The delay start: a game changer
The delay start feature is what elevates this from “nice to have” to genuinely useful. You can programme it so your loaf finishes baking exactly when you want it.
For busy weekdays, that means fresh bread ready when I walk through the door. For weekends, it means warm slices at breakfast without lifting a finger in the morning.
The non-stick pan works well too. Each loaf has tipped out cleanly so far, with minimal scraping.
Any downsides?
Because it’s compact and makes a 1lb loaf, it won’t suit large families who get through bread quickly. If you’re feeding four or five people, you may find yourself baking often.
For full disclosure, my husband and I ate the first loaf we made within 10 minutes of it completing its cycle.
It was so good that we had to make another straight away, and another after that.
It’s also not silent. The kneading cycle makes a noticeable whirring sound, though nothing excessive and certainly no louder than our dishwasher or washing machine.
I wouldn’t run it overnight in a studio flat, but in a standard home it’s fine.
Recommended reading:
Is it worth it?
Given the reported 776% rise in sales, clearly plenty of people think so. After a few weeks of use, I can see why.
It’s simple, space-saving and takes the effort out of baking. More importantly, it supports that growing shift towards cooking from scratch and knowing what’s in your food.
For me, the biggest surprise has been how quickly it became part of my routine. What started as a test appliance has quietly become something I use every week.
If you love fresh bread but don’t love supermarket additives – or daily bakery trips – this compact bread maker makes the process almost effortless.
