How to Activate Dry Yeast

Make sure your yeast is active so your bread will rise.

When using active dry yeast in bread recipes it is important to activate or "proof" the yeast before use. This allows the yeast, which is a living organism, to develop and grow prior to its incorporation into the bread. Active yeast is essential in order for your bread to rise. Activating yeast only takes a few minutes and will let you know your yeast is active and your bread will rise. Old yeast will not proof and your bread will not rise.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Small bowl
• Sugar
• Spoon

1. Measure out the amount of water called for in the recipe or on the yeast's label in a liquid measuring cup. The water should be lukewarm. Yeast activates best in water that is between 90 and 110 degrees in temperature, so the water should feel warm on your skin but should not be so hot that it burns.

2. Add pinch of granulated sugar and stir with a spoon until it has completely dissolved.

3. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top of the water. Incorporate the active dry yeast into the water by stirring vigorously. The yeast should dissolve somewhat, turning from yeast granules to a semi-dissolved pasty texture.

4. Cover the container with plastic wrap and set aside for approximately 10 minutes. When the yeast has become bubbly and/or foamy, it is active and ready for use in your bread recipe.

Tips & Warnings

• If yeast does not bubble in 10 minutes, try again with water that is less warm. If it still doesn't bubble the yeast is old and fresh yeast is needed.

• While the yeast is activating, set up the rest of the ingredients for the recipe to save time.

• Water that is too hot will kill the yeast. Make sure the water is not hotter than 110 degrees. Check with a thermometer if you want to be sure.

References

• Homemade Pizza Made Easy: Steps to Activate Yeast
• Food.com: Yeast