Understanding Yeast | Bake It Up a Notch with Erin McDowell

Fearless baker Erin McDowell is back to explain all things yeast. In this episode of "Bake It Up a Notch," Erin will show you how to make an easy lean bread (ciabatta) and a more complex enriched bread (salted butter brioche). This #bakingtutorial also includes explanations of different types of yeast (and when to use them), preferments, baker's percentage, how to adjust your rise times and the visual cues for proofing a yeasted recipe. Happy baking!

GET THE RECIPES:

READ ERIN'S ARTICLES:

Also featured in this video

Looking for something specific? We've got you covered:
0:39 - Let's Talk Types of Yeast
4:36 - Brimley explains baker's percentage
5:13 - Lean Breads (Starring: Ciabatta)
17:12 - Look How They've Grown
24:45 - Enriched Breads (Hi, Brioche!)
39:38 - Mistakes Happen
45:56 - Rise & Shine, Brioche
47:07 - The Big Finish


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[Kebston]

This was truly a master’s class. The host is articulate, clear and her knowledge is evident...and she’s cute too.

[Stellaaa]

Please protect Erin at all cost! I love her so much she’s an amazing teacher! Also as someone who uses English as a second language, I’m surprised I can understand every single word she says without subtitles. She makes everything so easy to understand!

[owilliams]

Erin is A+++. She is knowledgeable, comfortable in front of the camera, an excellent instructor and pure inspiration. The result is that she gives viewers confidence.

[av]

erins videos are the ones i watch when i want to relax. no misinformation, no bullshit or unnecessary obnoxious flair for youtube likes. just pure passion for her craft and a wealth of knowledge.

[elkewheeler]

0h my gawd, 5 seconds in and I just have to stop and say thank you! No one else is spending 50+ minutes on THE singularly hot topic during the current quarantine. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And now back to the show.

[Eristotl]

My favorite baker and spatula collector! I would pay large amounts for cooking classes with you woman!

[vivianrojas]

Erin is incredible! love the way she explains every thing so clear!

[bodhiSwaha]

You are the best baking teacher I have ever seen. Hope you get a TV show, if you want it.

[Sewprano]

I’m a home baker and have been baking for several years. I love content like this. There’s ALWAYS more to learn about the most modest ingredients. Thanks for this little masterclass in the basics! Keep it up!

[lorchid]

Perfectly explained. Most bakers tend to go about making bread as though the audience already knows much of what they’re doing... which is NOT the case for a large portion of viewers.

[nicholashilton]

Pls keep bringing Erin back! She’s amazing.

[elisebrisson]

This was a master class in bread making! Erin is amazing, and is now tied with Claire Saffitz as my favourite YouTube foodies!

[kelpauly]

Erin, I just think you are the bees knees! Your energy is so positive and calming and I love how you explain the science and the reasons behind your techniques. You certainly know what you're doing; you're incredibly knowledgable without being the least bit pretentious about it, and you make baking seem so fun and approachable. Thank you for sharing your wonderful personality and exceptional know-how with us!

[joannejohnson]

I am in “heaven”. I have made about 10 loaves of bread this past year. I had success with just 3 loaves. The type of bread was the infamous no knead 18 hour bread. I wanted to try something else and ciabatta and brioche breads were at the top of my list.Thanks for the many things I learned from this discussion. I am sure I will remember much more about this “science “ when I buy your book. Thanks very much.

[cookwithcathy]

EXCELLENT JOB!!! Thank you for so much info!!!! So STINKIN excited to get baking!!! Erin is a wonderful teacher that seems so encouraging and gives us the confidence to make beautiful loaves of bread to share!!! Want to learn more from her!!!

[fedesartorio]

What a fantastic video! This Youtube channel really did manage to get really sweet, knowledgeable people on board. Excellent learning resource!

[thatgirljo]

Love, love, Love Erin and all the details & explanations she goes into. As a bread baking novice I truly appreciate the knowledge shared.

[mnamous]

I say this every time I see you make something, but you are a *fantastic* teacher. I could watch you all the dingdong day!

[merindymorgenson]

I just love her teaching method. She is so knowledgeable and makes that knowledge so accessible. Love watching these episodes with Ms. Erin McDowell!

[peggyhurley]

Finalllly! A bread YouTube that gives big hope to the average home cook to make great bread!
You are great & a great teacher!Thank you so much! Absolutely fantastic class!