Would you like to learn how to knead dough? Many people are hesitant to make homemade bread because they are unnecessarily intimidated by kneading. Kneading is very simple to do, and usually only takes about 8-10 minutes.. Read on to learn how to knead, so that you can be on your way to making homemade bread and pizza.
Introduction
Kneading is the act of developing the gluten in the bread so that it will contain the carbon dioxide that is produced by the yeast when the dough rises. Too little kneading will produce heavy soggy bread. Although you can knead the bread by machine if you have a stand mixer with a dough hook, its worth learning the process of how to knead by hand so that you can understand what the dough should feel like at each stage of the process.
Step 1: Prepare to Knead Dough
- Get comfortable. You want a surface that is at a comfortable height for you. Taller people might want to knead at the counter, which is about 36" high, while shorter people might prefer kneaded on a table, which is generally about 29-30" high. Find a height that you're comfortable working at.
- Spread about 1/2 cup of flour on the surface you'll be kneading on.
- Set an extra cup of flour off to the side in case you knead more. Humidity effects how much flour you'll need for the dough, so you won't be able to predict exactly how much you need before hand.
- Turn the dough onto the kneading surface.
- Wash and dry your hands, then coat them with flour.
Step 2: How to Knead Dough
While kneading, work in additional flour until the dough is no longer sticky.
- Gather the dough up in a ball.
- Push the dough away from you with the heel of your hands.
- Fold the dough over.
- Give the dough a quarter turn.
- Repeat the process
Step 3: How to Tell If the Dough has Been Kneaded Enough
Dough is done when the gluten has been fully developed. This will usually take from 8-10 minutes, although it might take a bit longer until you have mastered the process. There are several indications that your dough has been well kneaded.
- Appearance: The dough should be smooth and satiny.
- Poke Test: Poke two fingers into the ball of dough. If it springs back, the dough is ready.
- Windowpane Test: Cut off a small piece of dough and stretch it. If you can stretch it thin enough that you can see through it without breaking, it's been kneaded enough.
