I am on my 4th batch of bread and it's still not rising! I am going to post the step by step process I used this morning and see if you see something wrong, I just don't know what to do!

First of all I would like to say that I tested my yeast and it's working. Just bought it a few days ago so I know it can't be that.

* I used Christine Miller's recipe but I halved it this time just in case it didn't turn out so I wouldn't be wasting ingredients.That's why the measurements look so weird. And this is in no way her recipe's fault, it's all me I know it, I'm new to this and just need some tips. Even though the bread doesn't rise I just know it's good bread because I went ahead and cooked it and it's SO good!

First I mixed 3/4 c. lukewarm water with 1/6 c. of honey, then I sprinkled on 1 tsp of yeast and then sprinkled 1/8 cup of whole wheat flour over the top and mixed it in a bit.

I let that sit for 10 minutes

I then mixed 2 cups of flour with 1/4 Tbls salt and added the 1/8 cup melted butter to the flour mixture. I then poured the flour mixture into my mixer and then added the yeast mixture on top. I turned my mixer onto about medium speed and let it go while I added a little flour at a time. I did this for about 10 minutes until I thought the dough was almost all kneaded. Then I took it out and kneaded it myself for about 7 minutes. I rounded it into a ball the best I could got it buttered all the way around, and set it on a folded towel that was on top of a warming oven. I covered it with a damp towel and left it for about 1 hour.

I came back and it didn't look like it was rising at all. So I left it for another 30 minutes, came back and decided to punch it down thinking maybe it had risen and I just didn't notice ;) It felt like it had some air in there so that was encouraging. However when I came back about 30 minutes later it was still flat and my hand print was still there. I let it sit a little longer and then I put it in a pan and put it in the oven. It's hard as a brick now and didn't rise at all in the oven. PLEASE HELP! What did I do wrong?

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Posted by Trina

Jill, if you checked your yeast and its ok then is it possible your getting your water to hot...to start your yeast...I think its not supposed to be over like 105 and that will feel almost cool to you.. another thought.. is your house cool? so it might take longer for it to get going. Or are you setting it somewhere that is to hot, to raise? also if your warming your flour that might be part of it... I had never heard of warming flour until the recipe you posted...thats not to say folks dont do it I just had never heard of it before then. just some thoughts...and dont ask me how I know some of these lol....

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Posted by mominpa

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/faqbreadbaking.htm

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/breadmaking101.htm

I hope these help.

My WW bread is pretty "heavy" but it is good.

The other day I was making bread and had to go outside to take care of some things and ended up spending 3 hours out there and came in and my bread was ABOVE the rim of by bowl...that has never happened...it didn't rise as well in the pan but it was a GOOD batch of bread!!

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Posted by abmiller

I put mine in my cold oven to rise just with my oven light on and a towel or plastic wrap over the bowl.

I left you a link in your pervious post that is very helpful to learning how to make bread. I hope you have time to check it out.
~Anissa

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Posted by bayleysmom17

I've checked out all the links and troubleshot with my mom (she is a former bread baker that sold out of her home). I should have just had her come over and make some with me but I was trying to do it alone and on my own and I think I bit off more than I could chew. After looking over some of these sites I can see that there are a few things that I should have done that might have affected the outcome of my bread. Spring Break is in a week so I think I will have mom come over and help me out and maybe I can finally figure out what I was doing wrong. Thanks everyone!

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Posted by Trina

Jill, I think I may see your problem, if its not a typo. I reread your post is 1 tsp. yeast what you used? If it is, then I suspect you didnt have enough yeast in it...I usually use at least a scant Tbls in bread recipes...

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Posted by farmgirlshelley

use warmer water, cover it with a towel and place it inside your TURNED OFF and NOT HOT oven. then check it. Hope that helps.

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Posted by 2girlsmommy

I would go with not enough yeast....1teaspoon doesn't sound like enough at all! I made bread this weekend too and it was wonderful! :) Sorry you are having such a hard time! Can't wait for your spring break! :) We can chit chat!

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