How to Prepare Dough for Homemade Bread Baking

If you have never had Homemade Bread before then this is not one experience to pass up. Homemade bread is a great addition to any meal whether it be everyday or a special occasion. The scent of the bread baking alone will make this recipe worth your effort. Why not for the holidays this year take a step back to a simpler time and bake your own bread. The following article outlines the steps to preparing your dough.

Things You'll Need

• 1 package Active Dry Yeast
• 1/4 cup of warm water
• 1 cup of room warm water
• 3 cups All purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Sprinkle contents of Yeast package over one fourth cup of warm water. Let the yeast and warm water sit for about ten minutes.

2. Stir together the three cups of flour and the salt in a large mixing bowl. Pour the yeast mixture into flour. Pour remaining one cup of water into the mixture. Stir and shape to form a ball.

3. Lightly flour a work surface for kneading and rolling. Turn ball out onto floured surface. Use your open hand, especially the heel of your hand to knead the dough. Flatten out dough over work surface. Fold dough over self. Turn dough and repeat. Continue until the dough is smooth. This usually takes about ten minutes.

4. Lightly grease a bowl. Place the kneaded dough into the bowl. Turn to coat. Cover the bowl with a towel or with plastic wrap. Place the bowl in a warm place, like your counter top for the dough to rise. This usually takes about one to two hours for the dough to double in its size.

5. In order to see if dough has risen, gently press a finger on top of the dough. If an indentation is left the dough is ready. Punch dough down.

6. Time to shape and make your loaf of bread. Please see my article, "How to Make a Loaf for Homemade Bread Baking" for details. Enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• When forming ball of mixture, if the mixture is too wet then add more flour.

• When forming ball of mixture, if the mixture is too dry then add more water.

• Mark your calendar yearly to celebrate "Homemade Bread Day" on November 17.

• If your home is being sold, the scent of homemade bread baking would increase the 'hominess' of any residential setting.

• See related articles for further preparation and steps for Homemade Bread Baking.

• The scent of Homemade Bread baking has been none to induce salivation in the mouths of inhabitants of a home and passersby. Do not be surprised if guests show up uninvited.