How to Use Yeast for Baking, Including How to Test and Proof Yeast
What Is Yeast? First things first: When a recipe calls for yeast, what exactly does it mean? Yeast is a living microorganism. It exists naturally all around us, but only certain types are harnessed to be used in baked goods. Because yeast is a living organism, it likes to eat, and when yeast is introduced to the sugars and starches found in a baking recipe, that’s exactly what it does. As the yeast feeds on the sugars and starches in a dough, it releases carbon dioxide, ultimately causing the dough to rise. That rise is what creates the beautiful, fluffy texture of a bread or yeast-based pa...