How to Freeze unbaked bread dough

Step 1

Double the yeast. Use only active dry yeast - not fast-acting yeast. Mix bread according to the recipe's instructions but double the yeast amount. This is to compensate for the yeast that will die off in the freezing process.Let the bread go through its first rise. Most yeast breads go through 2 rises. Let the dough do its first rise in a greased bowl as per recipe instructions. After the first rise, punch down dough. Shape the bread dough into loaves.Place loaves into greased bread pans and cover with greased plastic wrap to prevent sticking. This is done to make sure the dough loaves hold their shape when freezing.

Step 2

When you put the dough in the refrigerator overnight to defrost, unwrap the bread completely, place in or on the greased pan and cover lightly with plastic wrap that has been greased. In the morning, remove pan of bread and allow to rise as you normally would except allow extra time. What I would normally let rise for an hour will take about 2 1/2 hours to fully proof.When I give breads or cakes as a gift, I use foil pans. I line the foil pan with plastic wrap and place the dough in it so it will have the right shape. I freeze the pan and all but remove the pan when the dough is frozen.I found that giving these frozen gifts to be really appreciated. Most people do not make their own breads and such. They either don't know how or just don't have the time. To be able to defrost this when they want and have the instructions to bake it themselves is always appreciated, more than a fully baked item.