Particularly in a chilly environment during the winter, rising bread can seem to take forever at times. By using this technique, dough can rise in half the time!
If you are a passionate baker who enjoys creating bread, you are aware of how lengthy the proofing procedure may be. When creating dough, proofing is very crucial; without it, your final product would be tasteless and tough.
There are various theories about how to proof dough quickly, but our preferred method is the one below since it prevents overproofing, which can happen with other methods.
How To Proof Dough Quickly
Bread can be swiftly proofed with the use of a dish of hot water.
So, put a bowl of steaming water inside the oven with your dough to create a temporary "proof box" when you need a warm place for it to rise in the winter. Your favorite yeast-leavened breads will benefit from the ideal humid and warm climate created by this!
This is how you proof dough quickly:
- Set a baking rack in the middle of your oven: If your oven is smaller, place the baking rack in the top third of the oven. The lower one should be put in the lowest third of the oven, beneath the top rack.
- Your dough should be placed on the middle or top rack of the oven after being placed in a bowl and covered with plastic wrap or a clean towel.
- Heat 3 to 4 cups of water till steam is produced. Place it in a big basin or baking dish.
- Place the bowl or pan of steaming water beneath the dough on the bottom rack of the oven. It shouldn't directly touch the dough bowl if there is enough room between the bowls.
- The oven will become a little bit warmer after the light is turned on.
- Depending on how bulky and dense your dough is, your dough should double in size in 20 to 25 minutes after you close the oven door.
With this method, the oven's temperature and humidity will be maintained for around an hour. Simply replace the water after it becomes cold if your dough is denser and requires a longer proofing period than an hour.
Don't open the door unless you must while the dough is proofing. Opening the door will prolong the proofing process and release all the heat and steam you generated.
