Bread disaster

floyd · 4 August 2008 at 12:35PM

I decided to have a go at hand baking some bread using Doves farm malthouse bread flour. I followed the instructions on the bag but made a mistake by using active yeast instead of quick yeast. I now discover that active yeast has to be added directly to sugary warm water to activate it before use but I just chucked it straight in as the bag advised.

I am now on my second rise and its not rising very much, is there anything I can do to rescue it or am I destined to bake a brick?

So disappointed I don't think I will bother again. Do supermarkets sell quick yeast? Is it the breadmaker stuff?

thriftlady_2 · 4 August 2008 at 12:45PM

Yes, supermarkets sell quick yeast. It is usually in sachets, I think it is the stuff recommended for breadmakers but I use it in all my handbaking. Dove's Farm sell it in 125g packets (orange) available at Waitrose and Lakeland, my local farmshop also sells it. I prefer to buy it like this as you have less packaging to throw away.

floyd · 4 August 2008 at 1:15PM

Thanks Thriftlady, I will have a look for the bix box of Doves Farm when I use up this active stuff. My 'less waste' brain may have been the reason I picked it up in the first place as I looked at the sachets and thought the small tin was better as it could all be recycled. Teaches me to read the lable next time!

Anyway, I gave the loaves an extra 30 mins rise time and they did pick up so I am hopeful they may still be edible. Will report back when they come out of the oven

floyd · 4 August 2008 at 1:54PM

Just an update in case anyone ever does the same thing, give an extra 30 mins rise time in a warm place and bake as usual. Comes out well with a nice fine crumb and a crusty top. Only difference is that it smells slightly more 'yeasty' than normal, just put more jam on and it tastes fine