Can You Add Yeast After the Dough is Mixed? Here’s How!
Sneak Preview: Can You Add Yeast After the Dough is Mixed? Yes! I’ll show you how to do it. Keep reading.
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Wait! There’s hope for that bread dough that’s sitting in your bread pan like a bump on a log doing nothing! Here’s a simple solution for how to rescue bread dough when you forgot to add the yeast.
Has this ever happened to you?
On Christmas Eve afternoon, a family member texted me in desperation.
Her: “Help! I just realized I forgot to add the yeast to my cinnamon roll dough now that the dough cycle on my bread machine has completed. The dough hasn’t risen at all. I’ve got too many things going on around here.”
Me: “YIKES! When were you planning to serve them?”
Her: “Tomorrow morning.”
Me: “Whew! We’ve got time. I’ve done the same thing several times myself, so call me, and I’ll walk you through it. We can probably save it.
Happy Bakers Speak Up:
“You saved my hokkaido milk bread! Accidentally added very warm tangzhong roux and killed my yeast! I had already kneaded it for ages and was super sad to have to start over but your genius idea saved my milk bread!! Now my espresso won’t be lonely.. thanks so much for making my morning!!^_^–NINA
Have You Made These Mistakes?
Besides forgetting to add the yeast, I’ve also left out the salt (tastes boring), the sugar (not the worst thing), and miscounted the cups of flour I put into the bread machine (correctable).
Leaving out the flour is easy to remedy when you open the lid to check. (See video below.) Add more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it looks right. The dough should stick to the side, then pull away cleanly.
How To Add Yeast to Bread Dough That Is Already Mixed Up
4. Now restart your bread machine on the dough cycle and allow it to mix/knead. If the dough is too sticky after you add the yeast/liquid, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time. Do this while the dough mixes until the dough sticks to the side, then pulls away.
Keep mixing/kneading the dough until the yeast mixture disappears and is completely incorporated into the bread dough. It is not necessary to redo the entire kneading process.
5. At this point, you can unplug the machine and remove the bread dough from the bread maker pan into a large mixing bowl. Cover loosely with a tea towel or shower cap and set in a cozy, warm place to rise until double. Proceed with the original recipe.
Are You Positive You Forgot To Add the Yeast?
1. Has the date on your yeast expired?
- If your yeast is out of date, it may not work. Buy new yeast and try again using the solution given above.
2. Did you kill the yeast?
You may have killed your yeast if the liquid you added was too hot when the yeast contacted it. Proceed with the solution above and try again.
3. Is the ambient temperature too cool?
The room where your bread is proofing may be so cold that your yeast is sluggish. Move the dough to a warmer place and give the dough more time.
What Would You Like To Read Next About Bread Machines?
- 5 Remarkable Reasons Why I Love My Bread Machine
- How To Find the Right Bread Machine For You
- 6 Bread Machine Secrets You Need To Know
- How To Use a Bread Machine to Make Fabulous Bread
If you have questions or suggestions, email me privately for a quick answer: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon!
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.