Can you help me rescue my homemade bread?

Question

I made a simple bread recipe that requires only yeast, flour, water, salt, and a little sugar.

I let it rise twice, but the second time I let it rise it didn't rise enough (perhaps because the warm damp rag on top had turned cool?) If I beat it again, will it rise more?

Answer 1

Yes it will.  When I made bread I used to put it on the top of the fridge (right at the back) to rise.  The heat coming up from the motor would get trapped between the walls (it was in a corner) and cupboards above made a nice warm place for rising dough.

Answer 2

Yes, knead it down, and be sure it stays warm, and it should rise again.