Bread didn't rise - 1st timer

Fionne

I tried making actual proper yeast bread the other day for the first time. I followed the recipe exactly (it was on the back of the packet of flour). It never rose, not even before it went in oven when it was meant to rise, then be flattened down, then left to prove, it never rose at any point.

The only issue I can think of is that I don't have a stand-alone mixer with dough hooks so used a hand mixer with dough hooks instead, could I have over-mixed it maybe? Is kneading an alternative to this method?

Delphinium

I think the yeast may have not worked. It is a living organism so can go off. To test put some in warm water with a little sugar. You should see some bubbles within a half hour. Otherwise everything was too cold so it would not activate or the liquid used was too hot thereby killing the yeast. No need for mixers, they just take the effort out of making bread.

Dizzyblonde

A hand mixer with dough hooks isn't ideal and I think you'd have been better off hand kneading it.
You should give the Everyday Bread recipe in the Cooking Club a try, it's very easy to follow and turns out really well. My hubby made it as a first effort at baking bread and it turned out perfect.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057309959

jeanrose770

Sounds like the yeast didn't activate the rise properly! Try again with some different. I have also made sour dough bread before with a mashed potato recipe! So cool!
I believe there are recipes that are yeast free as well??? Maybe google that!