Is it possible to freeze yeast dough and how to properly preserve yeast dough

Often, after kneading, unused yeast mass remains. What to do with it? Save until needed again. How to do it right? The answer depends on how long the “separation” is planned for. If you need the dough in the next day or two, you can store it in the refrigerator. If you have to wait longer for the next pies, it is better to freeze it.

Refrigerator to the rescue

A refrigerator is an indispensable household appliance that allows you to increase the shelf life of almost any product. And the dough is no exception. How long it can stay there depends on the composition of the mixed mass. The yeast dough discussed in the article contains yeast, the property of which is a tendency to ferment.

Thanks to the range of temperature values (+2 - +7°C), which are maintained in the refrigerator, fermentation slows down and the souring process does not proceed as quickly as at room temperature. Thus, storing in the refrigerator gives the yeast mass a “delay” of a day, at most two days. If you leave the kneaded mixture there for longer, it will turn sour and you won’t get any pies.

Let's take a step-by-step look at how to properly store yeast dough in the refrigerator:

To prevent the mass from becoming weathered and covered with a dark, hard crust, you should wisely choose a suitable container.The dough is stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag, enamel bowl covered with a layer of cling film or a vacuum container. The main thing is that no air gets on its surface.
With a plastic bag everything is simple: you just need to put the dough in it and tie it. To be sure, you can put another one on top of the first bag.
Before putting the mixture into a bowl or container, sprinkle the surface of the bottom and walls with flour. Then put the mixture there and seal it tightly.
Now you should leave the packaged dough mass on the shelf located at the very top of the refrigerator.

Tip: if during the time allotted for safe storage of the dough in the refrigerator, it was not possible to make pies from it, you can freeze the mass while it remains fresh. Then at any time you can defrost it without any problems and create a culinary masterpiece.

A faithful friend is the freezer

You can increase the shelf life of homemade dough by placing it in the freezer. How long can it retain its freshness and characteristic qualities? Under the right conditions - 3 months. And if we talk about how long purchased frozen dough is stored, then its shelf life increases by 2 times. That is, it can lie in the freezer for six months (from the date of manufacture) without loss of quality.

Properly selected conditions are a constant temperature of -18°C. In a regular freezer, it usually stays at this mark. Although a lot depends on the age and type of refrigerator. The older the household appliance, the worse it begins to freeze. If the dough is in a freezer with a common door, which is often opened in order to get this or that product, the temperature also rises from time to time.Therefore, in a regular two-door household refrigerator with a shared freezer, yeast dough can be stored for up to 2-3 months.

Let's take a step-by-step look at how to prepare yeast dough for storage:

Divide the dough mixture into portions. That is, one piece should be enough for one preparation. This is explained by the fact that thawed yeast dough is not re-frozen.
Dust each piece with flour.
Place each piece in a plastic bag. You can also use a special freezer bag. Tie the bag.
Place the packets of yeast mixture in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf to cool slightly.
Place the chilled dough in the freezer. If it has compartments that close with a separate door, place the dough in one of them.

On the Internet you can find many methods describing the process of defrosting yeast dough. They differ in time, the minimum is 3-5 minutes. However, experts say that in order for the dough to retain all its properties and subsequently rise well, it should be defrosted for at least 2 hours. This is done in the refrigerator.

Refrigeration and freezing are two ways to extend the “life” of yeast dough. So prepare it for future use, store it properly and spoil your loved ones with new baked goods every day!