Adding water to dry yeast?

Question

I'm making cinnamon rolls and the recipe calls for 2 and 1/4 teaspoons of dry yeast. I have to combine the egg yolks, whole eggs, butter, buttermilk, flour, and yeast to make the dough and then let it rise. My mom says I have to "activate" the yeast by putting it in water. Do I really have to? How much water?

Answer 1

1/4 cup warm water , turn on tap, hold your wrist under ,when its not to hot for you, it wont kill the yeast

Answer 2

Yes, you need to activate the yeast if it is dry yeast.  Lukewarm water and sugar are used to activate it.

Yeast is a fungi and like everything for it to "Activate" or grow in a sense, it needs food/moisture/heat.  The moisture and heat are from the water, and the sugar is the food supply.

If it begins to bubble and emit an odor, it should be good to use.  If you do the steps above and nothing happens, either the water was too hot, or the yeast is too old and dead.

Answer 3

Yeast should be dissolved in warm water (100-110 degrees F), but not hot water or it will die. Sugar is usually added to "feed" and grow the yeast. You should see activity within 5 minutes, bubbling and expansion during yeast activation. If you see no activity, your yeast is too old, the water was too warm or too cold. Time to start over.