Here is a handy baking tip for those chilly days when your kitchen feels more like a refrigerator than a warm, cozy baking space! Rising dough can be a slow process in cold weather, which can be frustrating when you're craving freshly baked bread or rolls. Luckily, there's a simple oven hack that can help speed up the process without any fancy equipment.

The Problem

Dough relies on warmth for the yeast to activate and help it rise. In colder climates or during winter, the lack of warmth can slow down this process significantly.

The Hack

You can create an ideal rising environment using your oven, even if it's chilly inside your home. This oven trick is a game-changer for winter baking, helping you achieve perfectly risen dough every time. By controlling the environment, you can enjoy baking all year round, regardless of the weather outside. Give this hack a try the next time you're baking in cold weather, and you'll see just how effective a little warmth can be!

Why This Works

This method provides a brief but effective burst of warmth that helps activate the yeast, without the prolonged high heat that could start cooking your dough prematurely.

Tip #1

Don't Overheat: Heating the oven for more than a couple of minutes can raise the temperature too much, which might adversely affect the dough.

Tip #2

Check the Dough: Keep an eye on your dough. If it's rising faster than expected, it might be ready before an hour is up.

Follow Lilac Diaries

How To Make Dough Rise In Cold Weather: Oven Hack!

Preheat Your Oven: Turn your oven on to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (about 90 degrees Celsius) for just 2 minutes. This short blast of heat provides just enough warmth to kick-start the rising process without overheating the oven.
Prepare Your Dough: While the oven heats up, place your dough in a baking pan. Make sure it's covered with cling wrap to prevent it from drying out. The cling wrap also traps moisture and warmth around the dough, aiding in the rise.
Turn Off the Heat: After the 2 minutes are up, turn the oven off. Place the pan with your dough inside the warm oven.
Let It Rise: Close the oven door to keep the heat in, and let the dough sit in the residual warmth. Typically, the dough should take about an hour to double in size, but this can vary based on the specific dough.