Shaping The Dough

Before you bake the dough, it must be shaped. Once you have mixed everything together, let the dough sit in the bowl for at least 90 minutes so that it can rise.

Punch the dough down to get rid of air from the yeast. If you have children who like to help you cook, you can allow them to do this part for you. The hand has to be in a fist and goes around the bowl and punches down on the dough. Keep punching until the dough is not sticking to the bowl. Flour will help to keep the dough loose from the bowl.
Roll out the dough with a rolling pin. Make it into the shape of a rectangle that will be the width of the pan that you will use to bake it. Put the dough in a loaf pan. The pan should be greased prior to putting the dough in. Cover the pan with plastic wrap. This helps to keep the heat in as it has to rise again.
After the dough has been punched, the dough will need to rise again until it is double the original size. This time it should only take an hour.
Kneading Bread Dough
Kneading bread dough is easy to do. You have to employ your hands throughout the entire process. Kneading dough is a very important part of the bread making process. It helps the bread to rise and helps it to keep a fluffy texture. Kneading is done after you have made the dough and before the dough rises for the first time.
Select a table or counter area that is comfortable for you. This will help you not to strain your back. You should be able to stretch your arms far enough so that you can knead the dough and not having to bend over the table or counter area. When kneading the dough, you will use only the heels of your hands.
* Before you start, lightly cover your hands with flour to keep the dough from sticking on them. In fact, you should have a cup of flour near you; this is to keep the dough from sticking anywhere else in your work area.
* To keep the flour from getting on your clothes, wear an apron. Or you can wear old clothes that you wouldn't wear out in public.
* Take the heels of your hand and push in a downward motion on the dough.
* The dough should be folded in half.
* After you have turned the dough to a 45 degree angle, use the heels of your hand to knead it again.
* Keep on kneading. Fold, and then turn the dough for however long you are supposed to. You can stop when you get the right consistency for it.