How To

How to Fix Dough That Won't Rise

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(37 Ratings)

Cool air or old yeast will keep your bread dough from rising properly. If a bit of heat doesn't revive the yeast, you can mix a little more yeast into the dough.

From Quick Guide: Baking Basics
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Live Yeast
  • Sugar
  1. Step 1

    Create a warmer place for the dough: Fill a large pan with boiling water and place it in the oven on the lowest rack, or heat a mug of water for 2 minutes in a microwave.

  2. Step 2

    Place the dough (in its bowl) in the oven or microwave along with the hot water. Leave it to rise.

  3. Step 3

    If the dough still doesn't rise, add more yeast. Mix yeast from a new package with 1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) warm water and 1/2 tsp. sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until foam forms, to be sure the yeast is active.

  4. Step 4

    Knead the yeast mixture into the dough.

  5. Step 5

    Leave the dough in a warm place to rise.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you have no more yeast, turn the dough into tasty crackers or breadsticks: Knead with grated cheese, roll thin, sprinkle with salt and black pepper, cut into squares or thin strips, then bake at 325°F (165°C) for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Comments  

katielf said

Flag This Comment

on 5/21/2009 Thank you! I am trying to make bread for the first time and I put the salt in with the yeast. Hopefully this will save it!

Flag This Comment

on 10/11/2008 Finally a fix it and not waste it that makes total sense! Thank You!!!

PaperBoat said

Flag This Comment

on 8/26/2008 Thanks for saving my dinner!

Flag This Comment

on 12/25/2006 I LOVE this tip ! Thank you !

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Food & Drink
Bethenny Frankel,

Meet Bethenny Frankel eHow's Food & Drink Expert.

Get Free Food & Drink Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Food and Drink
eHow_eHow Food and Drink