If the dough springs back right away (it’s saying, “Hey, why’d you do that!”), let it rise for a few more minutes. If the dough springs back slowly, like it’s waking up from a long nap, and your prod leaves a small indentation, it’s ready to go.

The ripe test determines if the dough is ready to be punched down and shaped. Gently stick two fingers in the risen dough up to the second knuckle and then take them out. If the indentations remain the dough is “ripe” and ready for punch down. If not, cover and let the dough rise longer.

In short, avoid BAKING overproofed dough, and avoid SEVERELY overproofing dough. If you can avoid those two things, you’ll be just fine. Overproofed dough, especially if it is just the first or second rise, can always be knocked down and given another rise.

Dough that is ready to be shaped is smooth and elastic and has risen in volume. As well as, the edges of the dough are nice and domed, there are gas bubbles on the surface, the dough has ample aeration, and has a liveliness to it (jiggle test).

Bread can be baked after its first rise, but doing so will sacrifice certain aspects of the bread and you won’t get the same flavor, crumb, or texture. It’s much easier and often faster to bake after the first rise, so it’s a great option if all you want is to make bread in an hour or two.

The secret of successful rising Most recipes call for the bread to double in size – this can take one to three hours, depending on the temperature, moisture in the dough, the development of the gluten, and the ingredients used.

Dough that’s left to rise at room temperature typically takes between two and four hours to double in size. If left overnight, dough rises so high forcing it will likely collapse on the weight of itself, making the dough deflate. For best results always keep dough in the refrigerator when leaving to rise overnight.

If you let the dough rise for too long, the taste and texture of the finished bread suffers. Because the dough is fermenting during both rises, if the process goes on for too long, the finished loaf of bread can have a sour, unpleasant taste. Over-proofed loaves of bread have a gummy or crumbly texture.

Dense or heavy bread can be the result of not kneading the dough long enough. Mixing the salt and yeast together or Losing patience in the middle of molding your bread and there is not enough tension in your finished loaf before baking.

After the first rise you should knead your dough very briefly, and gently, to avoid tearing. This allows the large bubbles to be deflated and dispersed, ready for another rise. Being gentle prevents tearing the gluten network which is delicate after resting, and crucial for a good bread.

Let rise for at least a half hour, depending on how much it needs to rise. Most recipes, the dough can proof from 45 minutes to an hour. This is a fool-proof method of proofing your dough, without a bread machine or a proof box.

Dry Milk Powder. Adding 2 tablespoons instant dry milk powder per loaf of bread will help your bread rise higher, stay soft, and hold the moisture longer. That means it won’t get stale as quickly. Dry milk powder creates a more golden brown crust and improves nutrition, too.

The dough should rise for 45 minutes to an hour and a half, or until it is doubled in size. A good indication that it has risen enough is if the dough has risen a little past the top of the pan. Preheat your oven about 20 minutes before the bread will finish its rise.

A lean, moist dough in a warm kitchen will probably rise in 45 minutes or less. A firmer dough with less moisture will take longer to rise. Yeast is very sensitive to temperature; even a few degrees less in the kitchen can extend the rise time significantly. A change of 17 degrees (cooler) will double the rise time.