Storing Uncooked Dough

You can do a month's worth of baking in one day, by preparing the dough ahead of time and then freezing it, and then saving the baking for the day that you want to. By freezing the bread you will also save time since you won't have to go through the entire process of preparing the dough each time you want some homemade bread. So, take the time now or when you have extra time and prepare the dough and then freeze the dough for later.

Things that you will need:

• Plastic wrap
• Plastic containers
• Masking tape
• Magic marker
• Bread pan

Following the instructions of your favorite recipe, make the dough as you normally would. When you freeze bread dough some of the yeast will be killed, so you need to be sure to double the amount of yeast that you use. Let the dough rise at least one time to where it has doubled in size. After the dough has risen you will want to deflate the dough. With clean and dry hands deflate the dough by poking your finger into the dough.

If you are going to be baking the bread the same day that you make it then you will want to knead the dough into a ball. Place the ball of dough onto the clear plastic wrap. Wrap the dough so that the dough is all covered with the plastic wrap. Now store the wrapped dough in the refrigerator. It will store nicely in the refrigerator about three hours. Don't store the dough longer than three hours, since storing it for longer than three hours can change the dough's consistency. Take the plastic wrap off of the dough and place in on a clean counter with some flour underneath the dough. This will ensure that the dough won't stick to the counter. Brush some oil on top of the dough, and now cover with a towel and let it rise till its double in size. Finish the dough by following your favorite recipe.

If you want to store the dough longer than three hours, store the dough in the freezer. This will keep the dough fresh for a longer period of time. Take the dough that has been wrapped in the plastic wrap and place it into a clean, dry, air-tight plastic container. Place the container into the freezer where the temperature is the coldest. Be sure to label the container. Put some masking tape on top of your plastic container and with the magic marker write the date and what it is that you are freezing. You can freeze the dough about four weeks.

When it comes time to begin baking you will want to remove the wrapping from the frozen dough. Place the dough on your counter, on top of a clean piece of plastic wrap. Cover the dough with a clean dish towel. It will take the dough about four hours to thaw. After the dough has completely thawed, place the dough into the bread pan and let it rise. To finish, bake your bread by following the instructions of your favorite recipe.