Bread Loaves

While many bread recipes simply for yeast to be mixed with flour and other ingredients and left to rise, what if the yeast is already dead? Proofing shows whether yeast cells are active. To do this, you prove the yeast is effective. The simplest way is to dissolve a packet of yeast granules (about two teaspoons) in one quarter cup of warm water (anything over 120 degrees instantaneously kills yeast cultures), to which you’ve added a teaspoon of sugar.

Sugar is yeast’s favorite food, and if yeast is living, it will begin to gobble up the sugar and bubble madly. If the mixture shows no sign of foaming within five minutes, the yeast is dead and has lost its leavening power.

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