Any Home Bakers Here?

Fellow bakers, do you always have to use a sugar to activate yeast with warm water? I am making a whole wheat bread and have brand new yeast. Water is the correct temp but the recipe says to just add the yeast to the water, wait for it to proof, then add the honey. My yeast isin't proofing and I'm wondering if it's because I haven't added the sugar yet
 
Fellow bakers, do you always have to use a sugar to activate yeast with warm water? I am making a whole wheat bread and have brand new yeast. Water is the correct temp but the recipe says to just add the yeast to the water, wait for it to proof, then add the honey. My yeast isin't proofing and I'm wondering if it's because I haven't added the sugar yet
Do not add the salt with the yeast.

Can you share the instructions you are using? Proofing yeast in water needs the temp to be the temperature of life-- which is 85 to 110F. If you are proofing using a recipe that wants you to add instant yeast to a couple of cups of flour and add 125F water but proofing at 125F in just water instead, that will kill the yeast.
 

How to Proof Yeast

It’s worth noting that proofing yeast is different than proofing bread dough. Here’s how to proof yeast, step by step.

You’ll need:

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon sugar

Person pouring an open packet of yeast into sugar and water inside a glass bowl
TASTE OF HOMETaste of Home

Step 1: Stir it Up

In a large bowl, give the yeast, water and sugar a little stir. The water should be warm enough—ideally between 105º and 115º—to really get the yeast going.

You may notice that some yeast bread recipes don’t call for sugar in the proofing process, but adding a small amount at this stage provides the yeast with the energy it needs to create carbon dioxide (all those gassy bubbles that give bread its lift). And don’t worry—a teaspoon of sugar won’t impact the overall taste of the bread.

Test Kitchen tip: Feel free to substitute a bit of honey or agave syrup for the sugar—even a tablespoon of flour will do. These ingredients all serve as food for the yeast.

Yeast proofing in the glass bowl as time passes
TASTE OF HOMETaste of Home

Step 2: Wait it Out

Be patient, and let the mixture stand for 5-10 minutes (this was always my big mistake—not letting it sit). This allows the yeast enough time to gobble up all that sugar and produce plenty of carbon dioxide. Once it’s nice and bubbly, it’s ready to be incorporated into your mixture.

If you notice that the yeast hasn’t bubbled much after 10 minutes, the yeast might be old. You can still use old yeast in a recipe, but it will take longer to rise. In general, though, be mindful of expiration dates, and be sure to store yeast in a cool, dry place—even in the fridge or freezer.

That’s all it takes to get yeast going! Now that you’ve got this simple process down, it’s time to master some of our favorite recipes. We suggest these tasty Parker House rolls or a loaf of whole wheat French bread.
 
Do not add the salt with the yeast.

Can you share the instructions you are using? Proofing yeast in water needs the temp to be the temperature of life-- which is 85 to 110F. If you are proofing using a recipe that wants you to add instant yeast to a couple of cups of flour and add 125F water but proofing at 125F in just water instead, that will kill the yeast.
Here is the recipe I'm following
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20220201-163412.png
    Screenshot_20220201-163412.png
    190.2 KB · Views: 3
Fellow bakers, do you always have to use a sugar to activate yeast with warm water? I am making a whole wheat bread and have brand new yeast. Water is the correct temp but the recipe says to just add the yeast to the water, wait for it to proof, then add the honey. My yeast isin't proofing and I'm wondering if it's because I haven't added the sugar yet
A little sugar is ok. Your yeast should start to show
bubbles....if it is active and alive. The sugar just helps. Aria
 
A little sugar is ok. Your yeast should start to show
bubbles....if it is active and alive. The sugar just helps. Aria
The first yeast did nothing after ten minutes, then I dumped that out and started over, this time I used the honey from the recipe to help activate it. It worked the second time🤷
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom