Are you having issues with your yeast bread baking? Yeast bread baking troubleshooting help is here!
Now... if you are baking troubleshooting is one of those things you are going to need to know how to do eventually. There's always something to learn when it comes to yeast doughs!
Listen, everyone screws up sometimes. Once in a while I get a loaf that looks like ... well just weird. So, bookmark this post or pin it to your Pinterest board so you'll know where it is and can use it when you need a reference.
If you've read through Bread Baking Tips then congratulations!
You really can bake a loaf of bread and have it come out properly — although you may need plenty of practice to achieve the perfect loaf. If you've carefully followed all of the steps in the previous two articles and it still had trouble then you should be able to find the answer in this article.
If you can't then leave a comment below and I will try to help you figure out what happened. If you'll dedicate yourself to trying, following the recipes exactly, and keeping open dialogue with me I promise you you'll end up with a fantastic loaf of bread.
What makes a perfect loaf of bread
You can't make the perfect loaf unless you know what one is, right? As with everything else there is a standard by which good bread is judged. Will yours always meet the standard?
No, it won't. Like any standard, it is somewhat unachievable, but you want to get as close as you can.
So, what does the perfect loaf of bread look and taste like?
The standard:
An excellent loaf of yeast bread should have an evenly rounded top and be symmetrical in size and with no cracks,bulges, or bumps. Between the top and the sides, there should be a "break", which should be even and have a well shredded look.
Crusts on all yeast breads should be crisp and tender. The interior color should be even with no light or dark streaks and should feel soft and fine with no crumblinesss. The crumb [interior of the bread] should have many small even holes.
Farm Journal Country Fair Cookbook, 1975
If you've had a problem with your bread baking, try figuring out what went wrong with these common problems and causes.
My dough didn't rise or it rose very slowly
The best temperature for the rising period is a draft-free 85F to 95F. It will rise more slowly at lower temperatures and probably won't rise at all if the room is much below 70F.
- You didn't give it enough time. When the kitchen is too cool it may take double the amount of time to rise.
- House too cold. If the house is too cold it won't rise at all.
- You killed the yeast with too-hot liquids. Active Dry Yeast needs 110F to 115F, rapid rise yeast needs 120F to 130F, and yeast cakes need 90F to 95F. Use a thermometer until you get used to the way the water should feel.
- You made the yeast dormant with water that was too cold. Remember the water should be 110F to 115F.
- You used too much or too little sugar, honey, or other sweetener. Too much will inhibit the growth of the yeast, while too little will not give it enough to allow it to rise. Always follow the recipe exactly, especially at first. Recipes are formulated for success—at least mine are!
- You used too much salt. Salt restricts the growth of yeast. Follow the recipe for when you add salt. I usually try to add it last but the tomato swirl bread recipe calls for it early on. Always follow the recipe!
- You didn't use enough yeast.
- Too much flour/ too stiff of a dough.
- Your yeast was expired or bad. Always proof it!
- Not enough flour (this is unusual but it happens).
- Your rising period was too short.
- Kneading was insufficient to develop the gluten.
- Your pan was too big.
My dough is too sticky
- Not enough flour.
- Too much kneading. Knead it until it is elastic - but more is not necessarily better.
- Low gluten flour. Use bread flour or a good all-purpose flour. Never use pastry flour or cake flour for bread. Learn the differences in flour types here.
Cracks, bulges, or lumps
- You used too much yeast.
- It wasn't kneaded properly.
- You had too much dough in the pan.
- You left it to rise too long.
- You started it in a cold oven or the oven temperature wasn't hot enough.
- You let it cool in a cold draft.
No shred or break between the top and the sides of the loaf
- Not kneaded enough.
- Low gluten flour
Too much shred or break between top and sides
- Oven is too hot.
- Didn't rise long enough.
- Wasn't shaped well.
Flat top
- The dough rose too long (then collapsed).
- Wasn't kneaded enough.
- Too much yeast.
- Not enough gluten in the flour.
Collapsed in the oven
- Allowed to rise too much.
- Low gluten flour. Next time use bread flour or add gluten to your recipe.
- Oven was too cold.
Heavy or dense loaf
- Water was too hot and killed yeast.
- Ingredients weren't mixed well.
- Room temperature was too cold during rising time.
- Either there wasn't enough gluten present in the flour or it wasn't developed enough through sufficient kneading.
- Dough wasn't allowed to rise enough.
Holes in bread
Holes are desirable in artisan loaves but not in sandwich loaves.
- Too long of a rising period after shaping.
- Too cool of an oven.
- Not enough flour.
- Not kneaded well.
- The air wasn't properly pressed out during the punching down.
- The shaping wasn't done properly.
Crumbly bread
- Dough wasn't kneaded well (this is the most common reason).
- Flour doesn't have enough gluten.
- Too much flour.
- Too long of a rising time.
Gummy or doughy bread
- Oven temperature was too high.
- Bread was removed from the oven too soon. Make sure it sounds hollow when thumped on the bottom. An instant read thermometer will measure 190F in the center of the bread when it's done.
Off flavors
- Yeasty - too long of a rising time or too hot of a kitchen during rising.
- Sour - too long of a rising period or poor quality ingredients.
- Stale flavor - Old flour or butter that has taken on refrigerator odors.
Crust problems
- Tough - too much handling of the dough or not enough rising time.
- Pale crust - too much salt, too low of a baking temperature, or too little sugar. Also, the dough may have been allowed to develop a crust during rising time. Remember to keep it oiled and covered!
- Wrinkled crust - Loaf cooled too quickly in a draft.
- Soggy - bread was left to cool completely in the pan. Let it cool for a few minutes and then remove it from the pan to cool completely.
- Too thick - too much flour, a crust formed during rising, bread baked too slowly in too cool of an oven.
- Crust Separates from bread - dough developed a crust before baking. Grease surface and cover dough when rising.
Bread doesn't brown on the sides
- Bright pans will reflect the heat away from the dough.
- Overcrowding the pans in the oven will keep the sides from browning.
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
Weather and atmospheric pressure honestly does affect bread dough! I would let it rise in a warm over where the air would be dryer. I'd also replace 1 tablespoon of flour per cup called for in the recipe with gluten.
That can happen if it cools too fast or has risen a little too much before baking.
It's the lines that go down the sides of yeast bread when it's baked...where the top attaches to the sides.
You can poke the bubbles gently with a toothpick or knife point to let the air out. Usually bubbles are caused by over-kneading the dough.
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
If you are having trouble with yeast bread baking your problem is probably going to fit in one of these areas. If not, be sure to ask questions in the comments below. You can do this!
First published March 6, 2014. Last updated June 26, 2024 for more information and editorial improvements.
Sharon Seiber says
My bread has been a beautiful thing until I get to the last minute! I am 85 and have a big problem with my hands from working hard, so I have an older Hamilton Beach that I love, to do the tough work. Every loaf that I have made recently in both the big machine and the smaller bread machine poofs up to the very top and when it's done I have been having a slight concave top. It poofs up to the window!This is happening with the 2# bread. The 1.5# not so much. I still love, love bread making! I would love also to know what's happening.
Marye says
That usually happens if it rises too much. Start putting it in the oven a little sooner and see if that helps. Sorry for the late response - I've been ill.
Sandy says
Hey Mary, this is my third attempt to make your sour dough bread recipe. My sponge does great’ the first rise is great then when I put it into the pans it doesn’t rise much at all. I put it in the oven with th light on do you have any ideas what I’m doing wrong?
Marye says
I don't have any idea, Sandy. I'm so sorry -I'm stumped!
Sharon says
Hello, thank you for your site....you have such great tips. Iv recently started experimenting with making whole wheat bread using a mix of wheat and AP flour (can't get baking flour). I also sometimes substitute spelt flour for some of the all purpose and I add sunflower and chia seeds and oats. Iv followed a lot of your tips especially about adding the vital wheat gluten...which has been very helpful. My bread has turned out well on most times, however on the last two occasions Iv found that my dough has been very sticky when kneading and even after first proofing. I do add a little flour to combat the stickiness and bake but then the loaf ends up with a flat top. I live in the Caribbean....some days are cool....then some days are very hot. Would a hot, humid day affect the dough and cause it to be so sticky.....and what can I do to solve that problem. Thanks for any advice.
Marye says
Weather can make a huge difference and humidity can weigh it down. If you can let it rise in a warm oven where the air mightbe dryer? Use a little extra gluten? I live in a rather dry climate so I am unsure.
Sylvia Carlson says
why does the top of my white bread get all bumpy? In the oven it looks great, but when I take it out, after about 10 minutes the top gets really lumpy? I'm following the recipe, but I'm not putting in all the flour in the recipe, which they said you may not need to. I knead it until it is elastic. It rises well and rises well in the pan. As a matter of fact, I've never had bread rise so high! So what is the problem?
Marye says
That can happen if it cools too fast or has risen a little too much before baking.
Laura says
We have been following this recipe successfully but last night we decided to try to put the dough in the fridge and we didn’t shape it into the loaves so we just put it in a bowl cover with oiled plastic wrap... what to do after that?
And also what is the best way to refrigerate? Shape and refrigerate? Can you help me more with these for next time...
Marye says
So after it's been refrigerated in the bowl you'll shape it and let it rise at room temp. It may take a bit longer than usual. OR you can shape it and let it rise in the pans in the refrigerator then put it right into the oven.
Neil Ferchen says
My bread always seem to come out dense and kind of heavy, Thank you for the tips! Do you think I should add some powered milk to the flour I am going to use to make doughnuts?
Marye says
It wouldn't hurt. 🙂
Cindy says
What is shred?
Marye says
It's the lines that go down the sides of yeast bread when it's baked...where the top attaches to the sides. It's hard to explain - I'll try to get a picture next time I bake.
PYIE NYEIN HTOON says
Hi! Good day. Marye ,we useing AMF machine for making buns (hamburger) on top some have small bubble come out .about glutin with water or not enough mixing ? please .Thanks.
Marye says
I don't know what that is... but if bubbles are forming in the top you can just gently poke them to let the air out. It's may be from over kneading.
Marye Audet says
Oh yes - use the test yeast and water by all means!
RACHEL GARST says
I just love how these loaves turned out after following your tips and recipe! was amazed how light and fluffy it was, like eating homemade Wonderbread! this is worth teaching to my kiddos! thanks so much for sharing and explaining!
Marye Audet says
Im so glad it worked for you, Rachel!! Enjoy!
Tiffany Bonk says
I just made your buttermilk bread and it was a huge hit. I have two questions. First it came out slightly over cooked. I mean just the tiniest bit but if I had left it in the pan as suggested it would have burnt. It was also just a single loaf. Next time for a single loaf should I adjust the temp or time? Also would using all purpose flour make a big difference vs bread flour? Thank you!!!
Marye Audet says
You may want to turn down the oven to a lower temp - 350 or 375 - some people have better luck with that.. It won't have quite the nice rise or texture if you use all purpose.
jeff says
hi Mayre, thank you for sharing your knowledge in this blog. I like to ask you about the flour with high protein in bread flours vs all purpose flour . Is it true that bread flours with high protein will have a chewier crust /thicker than flours with lower one? i like thinner crust , very very thin with a crispy one. I have tried the Vietnamese Bahn Mee baguette and i noticed the crust was flaky and cracks on top its surface and they were crispy. How do i make that flaky cracks on top the loaf surface and its still crispy with crackling sound even when it already cooled long time ago.Thanks Marye
Marye Audet says
I don't think it has to do with the flour so much as it has to do with using water as a liquid rather than milk or other dairy. You'll want to bake the bread at a higher heat for a shorter period of time - and you can add 2 or 3 cups of ice to the bottom of the oven to create steam. Those crusts usually take a specialized oven that most home cooks don't have.
Bonita Miller says
i was making brown bread and its not raising like it used to
Marye Audet says
Remove 2 tablespoons of whole grain flour and replace with 2 tablespoons gluten flour in every cup of whole grain flour. Make sure it's being kneaded thoroughly.
Kristen says
I love your website and have enjoyed your recipes and helpful tips! I'm not sure this is a bad thing, but thought I'd check with a pro-- I proof my dough in my oven with a makeshift proofing setup (I turn it on for a couple minutes and then off when I start mixing and then place a Pyrex w ~3 cups boiling water in the bottom of my oven). I am finding my dough doubles in size in half the time listed. When I pull it out and punch (I really punch and give a couple kneads) down/form my loaves it is risen and ready to bake in 10-15 minutes.
Thanks again!!
Marye Audet says
Perfect! That's brilliant. 🙂
skye fillmore says
I found your website today on Pinterest and have spent a better part of the day (while working lol) looking through your bread recipes and the bread guides. LOVE IT!!! So I am sort of new to stand mixer bread ... I have been using a bread machine for several years and now branching out to using my stand mixer. I love it but I do have one question. When I put the damp tea towel on top of the bread for it to rise, and then when I try to remove the tea towel from the dough after it rises, it sticks to it and I have to rip it off. I have not been 'greasing' the dough when putting it in a bowl first- If I do this (I Noticed you do this), will that stop the tea towel from sticking? (I went out and bought real deal tea towels b/c a friend told me they do not stick as much). Or should I put some flour on the top of the dough where the towel will be hitting it once it rises?
Marye Audet says
Yep, you need to oil that dough before you let it rise. It shouldn't stick at all to your tea towel.:) Don't put the flour on top ... just oil the ball of dough really well.
Loy W eathers says
Marye, Will the amish bread recipe work with white low-carb bread flour ?
Marye Audet says
I don't know but I don't think so. If it has gluten in it maybe? If you do it let me know!!!
Jean Luby says
Where would one get fresh yeast? I've tried health food stores no luck. It is still widely used in Europe and is best but has shorter life. It makes the best yeast dough!! Many Thanks, Jean
Marye Audet says
Jean, one in awhile I see it in the refrigerator section of the health food store but I haven't seen it in a regular grocery in years.
Sheri says
I just realised that I was shy a teaspoon of yeast in my honey buttermilk loaf. I forgot that 1 packet = 2 1/4 teaspoons! Is there any way to save this batch? Will double or triple the rising time help? I feel such a dingbat!
Marye Audet says
Sheri It should be fine. When a recipe calls for a packet I just use a tablespoon - easier to remember!
Katherine Newsome says
Thank you I have figure out what was going wrong with my bread. It would have high and low spots to were it looked like a rustic type bread. I now take my rolling pin and roll it out, and then I roll it up into a loaf shape. I have also learned from you the differences on flours. I was using bread flour and had also use unbleached all purpose flours before and my loaves would rise up nicely. I had switched to a bleach all purpose flour and my breads would look terrible, so I went back to my old flours that I had used before and now have really great loaves of bread once again. Other than for the craters in it yet lol. I have also tried making whole wheat bread and had a lot more success at making them. I had Hemp seeds, Flax seed and a little extra bran to it. My husband loves it. I also use potato flakes and powder milk and it works wonderful for a very healthy loaf of bread. Again Thanks.