20
Making a Successful Dough continued
Tips
To add interest to breads.
• Brush dough with a little milk and sprinkle
loaves or buns with poppy, caraway or
sesame seeds before baking.
• Sprinkle loaves with shredded cheese
during the last few minutes of baking.
• Drizzle cooled, sweet tea rings or buns
with icing, or dust with icing sugar before
serving.
Glazes
Glazes may be brushed over the dough
before, during or after baking.
For a shiny crust, brush with cream or
evaporated milk before baking; or with warm
sieved apricot jam after baking.
For a glossy crust, brush with beaten egg
white before baking.
For a matt finish, brush with melted butter or
margarine after baking.
Questions & Answers:
Q. My mixture seems a little dry and crumbly.
Do I need to add more water?
A. Some flour tends to absorb or want more
moisture/liquid, especially on warm or humid
days. Add more water, a drop at a time, until
you reach a smooth ball/dough.
Q. I added too much water and my dough is
very sticky, what can I do?
A. If the dough is smooth without lumps,
add a little flour at a time and knead the
dough until it is smooth, soft to the touch
and bounces back when pressed with the tip
of your finger. Dough should not be sticky to
touch.
Q. My yeast did not bubble or foam, why?
A. The yeast may be dead or inactive, in
which case you will need to replace it. This
occurs when the liquid added or the standing
position was too hot or too cold. It can also
be because the yeast is out of date. If the
yeast does not foam, your dough will not rise.
Q. My dough did not rise, why?
A. If the yeast fermented properly, you may
just need to place the bowl in a warmer
position. Covering the bowl with plastic wrap,
and ensuring the area is draft free may help.
In winter, your dough will take longer to rise.
