Love to make homemade bread but unsure if you're kneading it right? We'll show you how to be sure you've kneaded dough enough so your loaves and rolls come out just right.
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Making your own homemade bread is one of the most satisfying kitchen achievements, though getting started can be a bit overwhelming. When I first started dabbling in yeast breads, I fretted about proofing the yeast and letting the dough rise enough. Turns out that with a thermometer, learning how to proof yeast is simple. (Figuring out how to proof bread dough in a cold house was a major breakthrough, too.)
However, knowing how to knead dough (and how long to do it) is another story. It’s an important step: Kneading the dough helps develop gluten, which gives the bread structure. But don’t worry—once you get the hang of kneading, you’ll be ready to tackle any bread, even this gorgeous chocolate babka.
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How to Knead Dough
Taste of Home
To knead bread dough, turn it out—that’s baker speak for “move the dough from the bowl”—onto a lightly floured surface. Dust your hands with flour then shape the dough into a ball. Then push the bread away from you with your palms using a rolling motion. After every push, fold the dough over on itself, then give it a quarter turn and repeat. You may need to add more flour as you go if the dough sticks.
How Can You Tell If Bread Dough Is Kneaded Enough?
Taste of Home
While you might have your kneading technique down, it can be difficult to know if you’ve kneaded the dough long enough. There are three criteria your dough should meet before you allow it to rest for its first rise.
Worried about your loaf going bad before you can enjoy it? Here’s how to freeze bread.
The Dough Is Smooth
Before you knead bread dough, it can look a little sticky and rough. Kneading helps smooth the dough out. Your dough should be ready when has a nice, smooth texture.
The Dough Springs Back
After kneading the dough for several minutes, press it with your finger. If the indentation stays, the dough still needs more work. If it springs back to its original shape, your dough is ready to rest.
The Dough Passes the Windowpane Test
Perhaps the best way to tell if your bread dough is properly kneaded is the windowpane test. To do this, tear off a chunk of dough and stretch it between your fingers. If the dough tears, you haven’t developed enough gluten and it needs more kneading. If it stretches without breaking, making a windowpane of sorts, you’re done and you can let the dough rest.
How Can You Tell If Dough Is Over-Kneaded?
Taste of Home
You can tell you’ve kneaded dough too much if it becomes difficult to stretch. Sometimes this happens when you use a stand mixer or food processor. Overkneaded dough will be tough and make tough, chewy bread.
If you’ve kneaded by hand, you don’t need to be too worried about overworked dough—you’ll start to notice it getting difficult to manage. It takes a lot of elbow grease to knead bread dough; you’ll likely tire yourself out before you can over-knead.
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Oat Dinner RollsThese soft rolls are out of this world. The addition of oat makes them a little heartier than other dinner rolls. —Patricia Rutherford, Winchester, Illinois
Sour Cream Chive BreadThis savory loaf mildly flavored with chives is delicious when served warm with a meal, soup, salad or stew. It also tastes wonderful toasted the next day for breakfast. —Deborah Plank, West Salem, Ohio
Best Dinner RollsThese are the best dinner rolls around. If you can't decide which enticing topping to choose, just use them all.—Christina Pittman, Parkville, Missouri
Easy Onion Crescent RollsHere's a deliciously easy way to dress up a tube of crescent roll dough. These golden bites are one of our favorite recipes—and they're a nice addition to any buffet. We like them so much, I usually triple the recipe. —Barbara Nowakowski, North Tonawanda, New York
Garlic Bubble LoafI tweaked my friend's family recipe for pull-apart rolls, and here's the result. This homemade garlic bread loaf is a must for your next pasta night, when everyone will have fun pulling off each rich and buttery piece. —Lynn Nichols, Bartlett, Nebraska
Grandma's Rosemary Dinner RollsMy grandma (I called her Baba) made these in her coal oven. How she regulated the temperature is beyond me! She always made extra rolls for the neighbors to bake in their own ovens. My mom and aunts would deliver the formed rolls at lunchtime. —Charlotte Hendershot, Hudson, Pennsylvania
Onion French Bread LoavesSince I love variety in my cooking, I tried adding dried minced onion to my usual recipe in attempts to copy a bread I had tasted, creating these two tasty loaves. Using the bread machine on the dough setting is a great timesaver. —Ruth Fueller, Barmstedt, Germany
Best Ever Crescent RollsMy daughter and I have cranked out dozens of these homemade crescent rolls. It’s a real team effort. I cut the dough into pie-shaped wedges; she rolls them up. —Irene Yeh, Mequon, Wisconsin
Wholesome Wheat BreadMy sister and I were in 4-H, and Mom was our breads project leader for years. Because of that early training, fresh homemade bread like this is a staple in my own kitchen.
-Karen Wingate, Coldwater, Kansas
Dilly RollsThese versatile rolls are so welcome served warm alongside any dinner. I always make a big batch since my family enjoys them after they're cool, too, stuffed with a filling like egg salad or ham salad. —Mary Bickel, Terre Haute, Indiana
Arizona CornbreadUnlike other cornbreads, this one uses yeast. With oil and sour cream, this moist, tender loaf has a bit of zip to it from the peppers. —Margaret Pache, Mesa, Arizona
Whole Wheat Potato RollsMy cousin gave me this recipe for classic potato rolls. If you have leftovers or want to make some ahead, go ahead and freeze them—they’ll be just as tasty. —Devon Vickers, Goddard, Kansas
Swiss Cheese BreadThis bread will receive rave reviews, whether you serve it as an appetizer or with a meal. For real convenience, you can make it ahead of time and freeze it! —Karla Boice, Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Icebox RollsI remember my mom making these rolls almost every Saturday so they'd be ready to bake on Sunday for company or someone just dropping by. Although they take a little time to prepare, they're really not all that difficult to make. And there's nothing in the stores that can compare to them! —Jean Fox, Welch, Minnesota
Potato Pan RollsMy family loves these rolls and requests them often. They don't take long to make because you use quick-rise yeast. —Connie Storckman, Evanston, Wyoming
Vegetable & Cheese FocacciaMy family eats this flavorful bread as fast as I can make it. Sometimes I add different herbs, red onion or crumbled bacon. It's one of my best recipes!
—Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland
Italian Pinwheel RollsParmesan cheese, garlic and oregano make these rolls hard to resist. My family gets hungry when they smell them baking and can't wait for them to be done. —Patricia FitzGerald, Candor, New York
Amish Potato BreadA tasty mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour and a small amount of mashed potatoes combine to give this golden bread its wonderful texture. The loaf is very moist and stays that way for days. —Sue Violette, Neillsville, Wisconsin
Best Ever BreadsticksPresent these delicious breadsticks alongside an Italian favorite like lasagna or spaghetti. They're an attractive and edible addition to the table setting! —Carol Wolfer, Lebanon, Oregon
Flaky Butterhorn RollsThe recipe for these dinner rolls, slightly sweet and so very flaky, was my mother’s. They are simple to prepare because kneading skills are not required and the dough is easy to handle. My grandchildren have renamed them "Grandma’s croissants"! —Bernice Smith, Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota
Honey-Squash Dinner RollsPuffy dinner rolls take on rich color when you add squash to the dough. Any squash variety works—I've even used cooked carrots. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida
Yogurt Yeast RollsPeople tend to snap up these fluffy, golden rolls, in a hurry whenever I take them to a potluck. It's a nice contribution since rolls are easy to transport, and one batch goes a long way. — Carol Forcum, Marion, Illinois
Rosemary Orange BreadMeet the Cook: Of all the herbs, rosemary is my favorite. This bread goes great with a roast, chicken or pasta with red sauce. It's especially festive to serve at holiday time.
My husband and I have three young children - ages 6, 3 and 1.
-Deidre Fallavollita, Vienna, Virginia
Herbed Bread TwistsA blend of herbs and a special shape dress up ordinary frozen bread dough in this unbelievably easy recipe. —Deb Stapert, Comstock Park, Michigan
Cornmeal Parker House RollsMy mom deserves the credit for making this recipe a family tradition. These sweet, tender rolls have been on every holiday table at her house for as long as I can remember. —Lisa D. Brenner, Harrisburg, Nebraska
Cheddar LoavesSwirls of cheddar cheese give these loaves an exquisite flavor. Try a slice or two for sandwiches, toasted for breakfast or served on the side with a Caesar salad
—Agnes Ward
Stratford, Ontario
Rosemary FlatbreadsMy family loves this as a pizza crust. But with a touch of olive oil and fresh herbs it makes a lovely flatbread appetizer. —Sue Brown, West Bend, Wisconsin
Cheddar Pan RollsThanks to the cheesy dough, these rich cheddar rolls have a gorgeous golden color and fabulous flavor. —Esther Current, Kitchener, Ontario
Oatmeal Dinner RollsThese fluffy rolls go perfectly with any meal. They have a delicious homemade flavor that's irresistible. I like them because they're not hard to make and they bake up nice and high. —Patricia Staudt, Marble Rock, Iowa
Sesame French Bread Homemade French bread isn’t at all difficult to make, and it’s perfect alongside Italian foods. If you’re not serving a large group, freeze one loaf to enjoy later. —Peggy Van Arsdale, Trenton, New Jersey
Butternut Squash RollsWith their cheery yellow color and delicious aroma, these appealing buns will brighten your buffet table. Plus, I've found this recipe is a wonderful way to use up squash from the garden. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Country White BreadAnytime is the right time for a comforting slice of homemade bread. These loaves are especially nice since the crust stays so tender. This white bread recipe is my husband Nick's favorite. He makes most of the bread at our house. —Joanne Shew Chuk, St. Benedict, Saskatchewan
Soft Buttermilk Dinner RollsWarm, buttery dinner rolls are absolutely irresistible. I save time and use a stand mixer to make my dough. —Jennifer Patterson, Shoshone, Idaho
Whole Wheat French BreadThe first time I made this recipe my husband asked it if was homemade or store-bought. When he reached for a second piece, I knew I had a winning recipe. —Roseann Loker, Colon, Michigan
Golden Honey Pan RollsA cousin in North Carolina gave me the recipe for these delicious honey-glazed rolls. Using my bread machine to make the dough saves me about 2 hours compared to the traditional method. The rich buttery taste of these rolls is so popular with family and friends that I usually make two batches so I have enough! —Sara Wing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Make-Ahead ButterhornsMom loved to make these lightly sweet, golden rolls. They're beautiful and impressive and have a homemade taste that makes them memorable. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Sour Cream Fan RollsI received this recipe from an email pen pal in Canada. The dough is so easy to work with, and it makes the lightest yeast rolls. I haven't used another white bread recipe since I started making this one.
-Carrie Ormsby, West Jordan, Utah
Sesame Wheat BraidsWhen I started making this bread, my husband and our six children liked it so much that I was baking every day! I was thrilled when the judges at our county fair gave these braids both a blue ribbon and a best of show award! —Nancy Montgomery, Hartville, Ohio
Overnight RollsI'm pleased to share the recipe for these light and tender rolls, which I've made for 25 years. I once served them to a woman who'd been in the restaurant business for half a century. She said they were the best rolls she'd ever tasted.
Herbed Bubble Bread"It takes just five ingredients to dress up a package of frozen rolls to make this buttery, crusty loaf," says Anita Whorton of Powder Springs, Georgia.
Crescent Dinner RollsThese light, golden rolls have a heavenly homemade flavor and aroma. Mom never hesitates to whip up a batch of these from-scratch rolls, since they're a delightful way to round out a meal. —Debra Falkiner, St. Charles, Missouri
Home-Style Yeast BreadEveryone likes the tender texture and slightly sweet taste of this homemade bread. When I'm in the mood to bake, I usually double the recipe and share loaves with friends. The dough also makes lovely rolls.
-Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South Carolina
Easy Batter RollsThe first thing my guests ask when they come for dinner is if I'm serving these dinner rolls. The buns are so light, airy and delicious—and help make the meal. —Thomasina Brunner, Gloversville, New York
Icebox ButterhornsThese beautiful golden rolls just melt in your mouth! People will be impressed when these appear on your table. —Judy Clark, Elkhart, Indiana
Buttery Bubble BreadHomemade bread can be time-consuming, difficult and tricky to make. But this fun-to-eat monkey bread, baked in a fluted tube pan, is easy and almost foolproof. If I'm serving it for breakfast, I add some cinnamon and drizzle it with icing. —Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas
Oatmeal RollsMost people tell me what they like best about these rolls is they're so moist. I like them because they're simple to make, freeze well and because I grew up on oatmeal and still love it! —Jeanette Fuehring, Concordia, Missouri
Italian Snack BreadI've served this snack bread alongside spaghetti, as an appetizer and as a main dish. Because it stays so tender, I often bake it a day before. —Joan Nowacki, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Easy Potato RollsAfter I discovered this recipe, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls. —Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri
Flavorful Herb BreadThis bread is one of my favorites. It has a wonderful texture and slices beautifully, and the flavor of the herbs really comes through. (Psst—If you don't have a bread machine on hand, learn how to make bread without one!) —Gerri Hamilton, Kingsville, Ontario
Parmesan Garlic BreadsticksThese tender breadsticks fill the kitchen with a tempting aroma when they are baking, and they're wonderful served warm. My family tells me I can't make them too often. —Gaylene Anderson, Sandy, Utah
Garlic Herb Bubble LoafI adapted an old sour cream bread recipe for this deliciously different pull-apart loaf that smells heavenly while baking. It has a light crust, tender interior and lots of herb and butter flavor. We think it's wonderful with a hot bowl of potato soup. —Katie Crill, Priest River, Idaho
English Batter BunsSince receiving this easy-to-prepare recipe from a dear friend, I've made these rolls often for the holidays. —Geraldine West, Ogden, Utah
Crusty Homemade BreadCrackling homemade bread makes an average day extraordinary. Enjoy this beautiful crusty bread recipe as is, or stir in a few favorites like cheese, garlic, herbs and dried fruits. —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Perfect Dinner RollsThese rolls melt in your mouth. I loved them as a child, and I'm happy to make them for my kids because I know I am creating those same wonderful memories my mom made for me! —Gayleen Grote, Battle View, North Dakota
Butter and Herb LoafThis is one of my family's favorite bread recipes. They love it with a warm bowl of soup during autumn.— Lillian Hatcher, Plainfield, Illinois
French LoavesMy kids love to help me make this delicious bread recipe. It's quite easy, and they enjoy the fact that they can be eating fresh bread in about two hours! —Denise Boutin, Grand Isle, Vermont
Mother's RollsThese golden cloverleaf dinner rolls were one of my mother's specialties. We always looked forward to them on holidays and special occasions. —Patricia Baxter, Great Bend, Kansas
Chive Pinwheel RollsThese light, pleasant-tasting rolls complement almost any entree. With the chive filling swirled through the golden bread, they're attractive enough for special occasions. —Ann Niemela, Ely, Minnesota
Blue-Ribbon Herb RollsThese rolls have been a favorite of ours for nearly 25 years. I even baked them in an old wood stove when we lived on a farm. I developed the recipe using several techniques I learned while studying the art of bread making. The recipe won a blue ribbon at our county fair. —Mary Ann Evans, Tarpon Springs, Florida
Old-World Rye BreadRye and caraway give this bread wonderful flavor, while the surprise ingredient of baking cocoa adds to the rich, dark color. I sometimes stir in a cup each of raisins and walnuts. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington
Skillet RollsBaking these rolls in a skillet makes them soft and tender. My family requests them for holiday dinners and other special occasions. I most enjoy them split and spread with butter and black raspberry jelly.
Herbed Accordion Dinner RollsTo dress up everyday dinner rolls, brush herbed butter over the dough, then form accordion rolls. The aroma from the oven is incredible! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Focaccia BareseThis focaccia has been in my mom's family for several generations. It is one of my most-requested recipes whenever I am invited to a party—I am not allowed to attend unless I bring it! —Dora Travaglio, Mount Prospect, Illinois
Tender Garlic Cheese BreadsticksGarlic breadsticks complement so many dishes. These tender ones pair well with Italian dishes, salads and soups. —Ann Volner, Maryville, Missouri
Tender Whole Wheat RollsEven though these are whole wheat rolls they have a light texture and are soft and tender. This recipe reminds me of lots of happy meals with my family.—Wilma Orlano, Carroll, Iowa
Garlic Fontina BreadWith its golden brown color and soft texture, this bread is a must at any family meal. It's a modified version of a traditional white bread recipe my brother gave me. Try it as garlic bread toast or for grilled cheese sandwiches — or enjoy it as is. —Cindy Ryan, St. Johns, Michigan
Sage & Gruyere Sourdough BreadA sourdough starter gives loaves extra flavor and helps the rising process. This bread, with sage and Gruyere cheese, comes out so well that I’m thrilled to share it. —Debra Kramer, Boca Raton, Florida
Honey Whole Wheat RollsMost of the farmers in our area grow wheat, so this recipe definitely represents my region. I bake these rolls often, especially when I'm making soup or stew. —Celecia Stoup, Hobart, Oklahoma
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