How to Combine Instant and Regular Yeast for Bread

Baking homemade bread can be an adventure in the kitchen.

Not having enough of one kind of yeast does not have to send you to the grocery store if you have a little of instant and active dry yeast. You can combine both of these yeast products to make a loaf of bread or cinnamon rolls. Active dry yeast is the traditional form of dry yeast, which must be dissolved in water, while instant yeast does not require dissolving. When using instant yeast in a recipe, bakers can add the yeast directly to the dry ingredients, which saves a step. Instant yeast also raises bread dough more quickly. Does this Spark an idea?

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Tepid water
Bread making bowl
Cup
Sugar
Instant read thermometer (optional)
Instant yeast
Active dry yeast
Measuring spoons
Fork or spoon

Instructions

- 1
  
  Heat half a cup of the milk or water required in the recipe to 110 F. When using active dry yeast alone, the temperature range lies between 90 and 110 F, but instant yeast tolerates warmer water. According to Red Star Yeast's website, bakers can dissolve the instant yeast in water as cool as 110 F. You can use an instant read thermometer to test the liquid's temperature or estimate it using your fingers. The water should feel slightly warmer than your finger.
- 2
  
  Pour the liquid into the bowl and add 1 teaspoon of sugar for each 1/2 cup of water.
- 3
  
  Combine the instant and active dry yeast in a small cup and measure the yeast that the recipe calls for using the measuring spoons.
- 4
  
  Sprinkle the yeast over the liquid and stir it in with a fork or spoon. Let the yeast dissolve between 5 and 10 minutes. Give it a final stir and add the rest of the liquid that the recipe requires. Continue to follow your recipe for making bread.
- 5
  
  Check your bread a little more often while raising it, since instant yeast can raise bread more rapidly. Bread dough that rises too high can fall flat in the oven.