Learn how to work yeast and make perfect bread every time. Step by step directions on how to proof yeast.
A few weeks ago I got a text from a friend who had tried my recipe for Sweet Orange Petal Roll and it hadn’t risen. She wondered what she had done wrong. As we texted back and forth and I tried to trouble shoot I asked her if she had proofed her yeast. She didn’t know what I meant. I asked her if the yeast got bubbly. She didn’t think so. Bingo! That was the problem.
So I decided that if my friend needed a little lesson in proofing yeast maybe someone else did too. So today I’m going to walk you through, step by step, how to proof yeast so that you can make sure your bread rises and turns out perfect every time.
Proofing Yeast
Proofing yeast is what you do to the yeast before you add it into the dry ingredients. It gets the yeast activated and working and is what makes the bread rise.
But first a little yeast lesson. There are two types of yeast – dry active yeast and rapid rise yeast. Your recipe will designate what type you should use. The majority of recipes will call for dry active yeast. I keep mine stored in the freezer and just pull it out as I need it. No need to bring it to room temperature.
Rapid Rise Yeast does not need to be proofed. It can be added directly into the dry ingredients. The granules of rapid rise yeast are smaller than dry active yeast.
Active Dry Yeast needs to be proofed. The yeast is dormant and needs to be placed in warm water before adding it to the dry ingredients to get it activated.
How To Activate Yeast
Activate Yeast The trick for activating yeast is making sure your water is the right temperature. Not too hot and not too cold. Just right. The perfect water temperature for activating yeast is between 100 and 110 degrees F.
Your recipe will tell you how much water and yeast you will need. Sprinkle your yeast on top of the water.
Some recipes will have you add in some sugar with your yeast and water which helps it activate. Even if my recipe doesn’t call for sugar I always add in a pinch or two.
Mix it up and then let it sit for about 5-10 minutes.
The yeast will start to activate and get nice and bubbly. It will look like this.
If your yeast and water mixture doesn’t look like this it means your water was too hot and you killed the yeast. Or it was too cold and it didn’t activate. No matter what the cause, if that happens then it’s time to start over! If your water and yeast mixture look like the photo below then it is time to add it into your dry ingredients!
Now go bake some bread! One of my favorite and easiest bread recipes is this Easy French Bread. Give it a try!
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This post was SO helpful, thankyou for sharing the info!! I am on the hunt for the thermometer that’s pictured in your post though! Would you mind sharing the brand or where it’s from? Thankyou!
So glad you found the article helpful. The thermometer pictured has broken and been thrown away. (I dropped it) . Sorry. I’ve worked with yeast so long I don’t use a thermometer anymore. Any candy thermometer should work just fine.
Can I dissolve in milk if the recipe calls for it?
You may, just make sure the milk is warm enough – about 110 degrees F>
My yeast clumps, when it says to dissolve. Is my water not warm enoigh?
Kathy, You can stir the yeast once you add it to the water and that will help. Any clumps will dissolve when it’s added to the flour mixture and kneaded.
One trick I learned about how to get the water the right temperature when you don’t have a thermometer is to stick your finger under the running water. When it gets hot enough that you almost want to take your finger out, that’s the right temperature. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your yeast! I have used this trick about 3 or 4 times now and it has worked perfectly every time! Your blog was very helpful! Thank you!!!
i’m going to try this! thanks!
Great article. I use rapid rise yeast. I don’t test it, but I know if the yeast has been activated or not by looking at what’s in the bowl. It thickens and bubbles on the top. Recently I made Amish white bread for my mom. Some people buy their breads at the grocery store or buy their breads from a bakery. What I think people miss out on when they do this is that hot out of the oven freshly baked bread. Nothing compares to that.
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