How to Tell If Dough Is Proofed

By Bigger Bolder Baking · 150 min

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Combine the flour, instant yeast and salt in a stand mixer bowl fitted with the dough hook.
2. Stir the lukewarm water and melted lard together, pour into the flour, and mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Increase to medium speed and knead about 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic and cleans the sides of the bowl.
4. Put the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, until doubled in size.
5. Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) square cake pan.
6. Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces of about 9½ oz / 270 g each.
7. Shape each piece into a taut ball by bringing the edges into the center, turning it seam-side down, and rolling it on an unfloured surface until smooth.
8. Place the balls seam-side down in the pan, spaced evenly apart. Dust the tops generously with flour, cover, and let proof for about 2 hours, until doubled in size.
9. Toward the end of the proofing time, preheat the oven to 450°F (225°C).
10. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until deeply browned and hollow-sounding when tapped.
11. Turn the bread out of the pan immediately and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

Summarized from Bigger Bolder Baking's video. Watch it for the details.