Which term describes the process of dough rising before baking?

• A. Proofing
• B. Fermentation
• C. Leavening
• D. Hydration

Answer: (A)

Proofing is the step where dough is allowed to rise after shaping, right before it goes into the oven. In this stage, the yeast is still active and produces gas, which expands the dough and helps set its structure, giving you the desired volume and tenderness after baking. This is different from fermentation, which is the broader process of yeast metabolizing sugars over time to produce gas and flavor throughout several stages of dough handling. Leavening is the general idea of making dough rise, which can be achieved by various leavening agents; proofing is the specific final rise before baking. Hydration refers to how much water is in the dough and doesn’t describe the rise itself.