What Did I Do Wrong?

[Marie Stine]

I tried making and baking bread from scratch a few weeks ago. To be honest, I've always avoided baking anything with yeast in it, but I thought I'd go ahead and make the plunge. My dough rose some but it didn't seem like it rose enough. When I baked the bread, it was very very dense and not soft and chewy at all. I was so disappointed because it smelled good and I was looking forward to eating it!

 

[JennyHeart]

I tried baking homemade bread using a bread machine, and it worked very well years ago. I can't remember why it turned out so well, but, now I want to use the bread machine my daughter gave me, and see if I can make some gluten free breads in it. Great post topic!

 

[monkeyboots]

Hi Marie,
Maybe your yeast was dead? If you have another packet from the same batch you should test it.
I hope this was the problem, because then it wasn't your fault and you will be encouraged to bake bread again!
I like your bunny ears.

 

[Marie Stine]

Monkeyboots,

Thanks for the advice I do want to try baking bread again! How do I know if the yeast is dead? This was my first time ever using yeast. The bunny ears picture was a joke for my husband but it turned out to be a decent photo so I thought I'd use it. I like your dog, he looks sweet. I have 3 dogs myself.

 

[VTEC 9/12/44]

Anything can affect a dough's rising:
Too much/not enough oil or flour,
Air temperature,
How long you let it rise,
all these things can make bread go flat, as well as the quality of your yeast. You may need to experiment a little.

 

[monkeyboots]

Here is how to test the yeast:
To proof yeast, add 1 teaspoon sugar to 1/4 cup warm water (100° to 110°F). Stir in 1 envelope yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons); let stand 10 minutes. If the yeast foams to the 1/2 cup mark, it is active and you may use it in your recipe. RapidRise™ yeast loses its fast rising capabilities if dissolved in liquid, and will require two complete rises.

 

[Marie Stine]

Thanks so much for the tips! I will definitely try bread making again. I didn't realize or know how to proof the yeast. I learn something new everyday!

 

[Becky]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Sorry to hear you've been having problems with your banana bread, I agree that checking your yeast is a good idea. Hope you have better luck next time - let us know how it goes!

 

[monkeyboots]

Yeast baking and I are not the best of friends, but I really want to get better/more confident.

 

[Jessi]

/points at her own bunny ears (and yes, that's actually me....was a picture that was a friend then cartoon-ized)

Anyway, yes, it sounds like your yeast was dead. It may have been dead straight from the package or you might have killed it with having your liquids too hot.

Here are some good instructions on how to test your yeast:

http://www.redstaryeast.com/lessons-yeast-baking/yeast-shelf-life-storage/yeast-freshness-test