Practice Dough for Beginners
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A simple, four-ingredient dough that's perfect for beginners learning to knead by hand. Practice your technique, shape your dough and see what you can make!
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour (300g)
- ¾ cup water (180mL)
- 1 ½ tsp instant yeast (4.5g)
- ½ tsp salt (2.5g)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, yeast and salt. Add the water and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a clean work surface. Knead for approximately 8–10 minutes, or until smooth, elastic and able to stretch without tearing.
- Place the dough in a bowl and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Let rise for 60–90 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Gently press the dough to release some of the gas. Shape into a round loaf and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for another 30–45 minutes, or until noticeably puffy.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and the center reaches 200–210°F (93–99°C). Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
A note about yeast: This recipe uses instant yeast, which can be mixed directly into the dry ingredients. Most modern active dry yeast can also be mixed directly into flour, although some manufacturers recommend dissolving it in water first. Always follow the instructions on your yeast package.