HM Bread - didn't rise at all - what can I do?

pokey128

Hi
I made bread this morning (by hand no BM:() and the dough just hasn't risen at all. I've started making it with no salt so my DS can have it (this is the main reason I started baking - and its so much fun!!) and all the loaves have been fine until today. I didn't put as much sugar in it this morning as the last loaf tasted too sweet - do you think this is the reason it didn't rise??

What can I do with the dough now - would be ashame to waste it

Thanks

diamondgirl78

Hi pokey 128, I only make bread in the breadmaker as I'm hopeless at doing it by hand. I think that the sugar is what activates the yeast (to make it rise), but I'm sure someone else who knows more will be along soon to help you.

pokey128

thanks - I really want a BM and am not great at doing it by hand but am definitely getting better with practice! I think the sugar activates the yeast as well but I still put some in (about half of what I would normally)
Its a mystery!!!

dutchy

Hi!

What kind of yeast are you using? Is it the dry stuff that comes in a tin? If so, it needs to be activated by mixing it with some warm water and sugar and left in a warm place til it's frothed up (about 15mins? Should look a bit like frothy beer and smell really 'yeasty'). Have you used enough yeast to the amount of flour - check the packet instructions. I tend to use the sachets of 'easy-blend' yeast; 1 7g sachet does for up to 600g of flour, and no pre-activating required. Not so sure about fresh yeast, although as far as I know it need to be activated in much the same way as the dried stuff as described above.

Good luck!

Dutchy

thriftlady_2

Is your yeast out of date?

pokey128

Hey, Its just tesco easy yeast or something - in little foil packs - I have never activated it before. Its not out of date either - I used it just yesterday to make a loaf which was fine.

I think it must be the sugar but does anyone have any idea if I can do anything with the dough just now (its just sitting on my fridge the same size as it was at the start!) Pitta bread maybe??

helping_hubby

I would definitely say it's the sugar if you halved the amount.

My bread came out like a flat brick last week, but that was because my yeast was out of date.

pokey128

Thanks,
Any ideas what to do with the dough or should I just through it out?

Penelope_Penguin

pokey128 wrote: »

Thanks,
Any ideas what to do with the dough or should I just through it out?

Make it into pizza

Penny. x

OrkneyStar

Make it into pizza or even roll into balls and then flatten out and fry in a tiny bit of oil/dry fry......if you roll them thin enough it could be sort of tortilla/flat bread like ?
I have had this happen on ocassion, using same yeast, flour, sugar/honey as day before! It is frustrating!!!!
Maybe you did not add enough sugar or too much salt ?

pokey128

pizza it is then!!!! Great idea - was trying to decide what to have for dinner anyway and this sorts it!! Will start over with bread in the morning (using the right amount of sugar!!)

xx