If your making from scratch - are you using fresh ingredients? Old baking powder can make bread/cookies too hard. Loved using my bread machine, but the mixer in the bottom kept getting "stuck" in the bread!!!

Mine would get stuck in the bread, but now it's stuck permanently to the bottom. Can't get it out. Oh well......lol

Yes, I use fresh because I kept buying different things to try. My little mixer gets baked right in the loaf, then I have to dig it out of the rock!

Hey tirnhi if the paddle is stuck, try putting some really hot water in it & let it soakor put some cooking oil on top & let sit, that might loosen it. My small machine got to where it wouldn't turn so I put some machine oil on it ( something that will withstand heat) & it works just fine. I think the paddle sticking is just part of the deal. Sometimes it will come out & sometimes it won't. I keep a pair of needle nose pliers near by to pull it out as soon as it comes out of the breadmaker that way I won't lose it.