Red Seal Baker Practice Exam

What are the primary ingredients in bread dough?

1. Flour, water, yeast, and salt

2. Sugar, water, yeast, and salt

3. Flour, milk, yeast, and sugar

4. Flour, salt, yeast, and baking powder

The correct answer is: Flour, water, yeast, and salt

The primary ingredients in bread dough are flour, water, yeast, and salt. Flour serves as the main structural component, providing the gluten that gives bread its elasticity and strength. Water is crucial for hydrating the flour, activating the yeast, and helping to develop the gluten network during kneading. Yeast is a vital leavening agent that ferments sugars in the flour, producing carbon dioxide gas, which causes the dough to rise. Salt not only enhances flavor but also strengthens the gluten structure and helps control the fermentation process. Other combinations such as those containing sugar or milk may be used in specific types of bread, but they are not the fundamental ingredients of traditional bread dough. For instance, while sugar can aid in fermentation and contribute to browning, it is not necessary for all bread recipes. Similarly, baking powder is typically associated with quick breads rather than yeast-leavened products. Thus, the combination of flour, water, yeast, and salt captures the essence of a basic bread dough formulation.