Bread made with yeast is quick and delicious. While some may doubt its health benefits, if you’re not sensitive to yeast, consuming it in moderation and using the right ingredients can make it a delightful addition to your daily meals. Moderation is essential due to bread’s high carbohydrate content.
What is Yeast?
Yeast is a tiny microorganism, a single-celled fungus that naturally exists in our environment—even on our skin and in the air. Around 1,500 species of yeast are known, with Saccharomyces cerevisiae being the one used for baking. It’s packed with beneficial components, including a high amount of B vitamins, essential for proper nervous system function and maintaining healthy skin. Yeast is a cornerstone of bread-making; whether you’re making yeast-raised or sourdough bread, yeast is always present! (Learn more about the yeast content in sourdough here.)
When baking, yeast ferments the dough, releasing carbon dioxide that causes the dough to rise, creating air pockets that give the bread its soft and airy texture. Whether you’re making yeast-raised bread or sourdough, yeast is essential for creating that perfect loaf.
Below, you’ll find two variations of this recipe—one using fresh yeast and the other using instant yeast. Both options result in a soft, flavorful loaf that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or as a side dish.
Yeast Bread – Using Fresh Yeast
Ingredients:
- 250 g MIMOOSA Homemade Bread Flour
- 6 g salt
- 10 g fresh gluten-free yeast (e.g., Budafoki)
- 260 g water (40–45°C, no hotter!)
- 2–5 g sugar or honey
Instructions:
1. Dissolve the yeast in the water with sugar/honey and let it activate (proof). Wait until the yeast rises from the bottom of the bowl to the surface, which takes a few minutes.
2. Meanwhile, measure the flour and salt into a bowl and mix thoroughly.
3. Add the lukewarm, yeast-activated water to the dry ingredients and use a wooden spoon to quickly combine into dough. This process is very fast, and the water will immediately form a pliable dough.
4. Knead the mixed dough by hand for a few minutes until the dough no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.
5. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it on a floured baking tray.
6. Allow the dough to rise in the oven at 45–50°C for an hour, or at room temperature, covered, until it doubles in size.
7. Bake the bread in a preheated oven at 210°C for 30 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 190°C and bake for another 20 minutes. Baking time may vary depending on the oven. If the bottom of the bread produces a hollow sound when tapped, it’s done. If it sounds dull, bake a little longer. Some ovens may require up to an hour for proper baking.
Yeast Bread – Using Instant Yeast
Ingredients
- 250 g MIMOOSA Homemade Bread Flour
- 6 g salt
- 3–4 g instant (dry) gluten-free yeast
- 260 g warm water (40–45°C, no hotter!)
- 5 g sugar or honey
Instructions:
1. Measure the flour and salt into a bowl and mix thoroughly.
2. Add the dry yeast to the measured ingredients and mix well. If using sugar, add it at this stage. For honey, dissolve it in the lukewarm water first, and then add it in step 3.
3. Pour the lukewarm, yeast-honey water into the dry ingredients and use a wooden spoon to quickly combine into a dough. The process is very quick and results in a pliable dough.
4. Knead the dough by hand for a few minutes until it no longer sticks to the bowl’s sides.
5. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it on a floured baking tray.
6. Let the dough rise in the oven at 45–50°C for an hour, or at room temperature, covered, until it doubles in size.
7. Bake the bread in a preheated oven at 210°C for 30 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 190°C and bake for another 20 minutes. Check for doneness by tapping the bottom of the loaf for a hollow sound.
Why Choose Yeast Bread?
Yeast bread is quick, easy, and versatile. Whether you’re baking with fresh or instant yeast, the result is a soft and fluffy loaf that adds flavor and texture to any meal. Both types of yeast are equally effective in creating light, airy bread, but they each require a slightly different method. The beauty of baking with yeast is that it allows for both flexibility and tradition in the kitchen.
Whether you’re making a simple loaf for your morning toast or preparing sandwiches for lunch, yeast bread is the perfect option for both beginners and experienced bakers alike. So go ahead, try these recipes, and enjoy a fresh, homemade loaf of bread today!
