How To Proof Dough Faster In Cold Weather, by Katherine "Kae" Sprung on YouTube. 1 min 31 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 31 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Shape your dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap so the surface does not dry out.
Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil on the stove. You want plenty of steam, so use more water than you think you need.
Make sure your oven is switched off, then pour the boiling water into an oven-safe dish or pot. Never pour boiling water onto a cold oven floor or rack.
Set the dish of hot water on the bottom rack of the oven. Place the covered bowl of dough on the rack above it and close the door to trap the warmth and steam.
Leave the dough to rise. The warm, humid air cuts proofing time roughly in half compared with a cold kitchen counter.
Check the dough after 25 to 30 minutes. It is ready when it has roughly doubled in size and springs back slowly when you press it with a floured finger.
If the oven has cooled before the dough is ready, take the bowl out, reboil the water, and return everything for another 15 to 20 minutes.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the water dish below the dough so condensation does not drip into your bread.
Do not switch the oven on while the dough is inside, or the bottom of the loaf can start to cook.
Stop proofing as soon as the dough doubles, because overproofed dough collapses and bakes flat.
Use a bowl that fits comfortably with space around it so the steam can circulate.
Questions
How long does this method take?
Most yeast doughs proof in 30 to 45 minutes this way instead of an hour or more on a cold counter. Check early the first time, since every kitchen and recipe differs.
Can I use this trick for sourdough?
Yes, but sourdough rises more slowly, so expect a longer time and refresh the hot water once or twice. Judge by how much the dough has grown, not by the clock.
Is it safe to put plastic wrap in a warm oven?
Yes, as long as the oven is off and the water is the only heat source. Keep the wrap from touching the oven walls or racks, or use a damp towel instead.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
