Master Yeast Dough, Bake Everything
Mastering a basic yeast dough opens up a world of baking possibilities that spans from savory dinner rolls and pizza crusts to sweet cinnamon rolls and fruit-filled pastries, all from the same foundational recipe. The beauty of working with yeast dough lies not only in its versatility but also in its remarkably budget-friendly ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, water, and egg, and, depending on the recipe, butter, milk, and sugar. With these ingredients, you can create impressive breads and treats that would cost considerably more at a bakery. Once you understand the basic technique, you can adapt the dough to whatever your menu demands, making it one of the most valuable skills for any home baker.
Better Homes & Gardens’ Overnight Refrigerator Rolls are classic, delicious yeast rolls perfect for the Thanksgiving buffet table. This recipe also offers options for turning the basic dough into different delicious rolls: Cinnamon-Sugar Butterhorn Rolls, Parmesan-Herb Rosettes, Salt-and-Pepper Parker House Rolls, or Whole Wheat Sandwich Buns. Five different options from one recipe! Make sure to bake extra classic rolls to use for sandwiches with leftovers from the Thanksgiving feast.
Another excellent use for yeast dough is to bake bread bowls. Homemade bread bowls transform simple soup into an impressive presentation that’s perfect for holiday gatherings and cozy winter meals. The bread bowl not only looks restaurant-quality but also soaks up every last bit of broth, turning dinner into an interactive experience that guests remember long after the meal ends. These Homemade Bread Bowls from Baker Bettie are perfect for pre- or post-Thanksgiving dishes. If you want to really spoil your guests with incredible food, make this Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Fried Cheese Curds from Half Baked Harvest to spoon into the bread bowls for a comforting lunch or dinner.
For loaf lovers, Better Homes & Gardens’ French Bread recipe is easy to make, and you’ll find a variation for baguettes. Fresh-baked French bread and baguettes with their crispy crusts and tender interiors elevate any meal from ordinary to extraordinary, whether you’re serving them alongside pasta, using them for sandwiches, or simply offering them with butter at the dinner table. The satisfaction of pulling a golden, crackling loaf from your own oven is matched only by the inevitable compliments that follow. Red Star Yeast’s Apple Cinnamon Raisin Bread results in a breakfast-worthy loaf that makes your kitchen smell like autumn and tastes even better toasted with butter. If you’re up for a challenge, you should bake a loaf of braided bread! Bakerita’s Chocolate Chip Challah is studded with chocolate morsels and makes for a beautiful presentation.
It’s Always Autumn provides you with one Homemade Bread recipe that can be used to make six different types of rolls. Bake some warm and soft Cinnamon Rolls, perfect for cold fall and winter days, and Better Than Olive Garden Breadsticks, a must-have for serving with spaghetti and meatballs or lasagna.
Last but not least, roll up your sleeves and make a fluffy and light Easy Glazed Donut Recipe from Bless This Mess. These donuts and donut holes are melt-in-your-mouth good. There are also recipes for making chocolate glaze and maple glaze.
The ability to make your own yeast dough is one of those foundational cooking skills that pays dividends every time you use it, whether you’re preparing for a holiday feast or want fresh bread on a weeknight. With practice, the process becomes intuitive rather than intimidating. Master this one technique, and discover new ways to transform simple ingredients into something special.
