| Tips & Tricks - Recovering Overproofed Dough
So your finger poke test suggests that your dough might be overproofed , now what? This can feel like a setback, but with the right approach, it may still be possible to rescue it and bake a quality loaf. Try this this to get your dough back on track -
Punch Down: Gently press your fist into the dough to deflate it and release any excess gas that has built up. -
Reshape: Reform the dough into its original or desired shape. Take care not to over-handle it, as this can affect the dough’s gluten structure. -
Reproof: Allow the dough to rise again, but keep a close eye on it. The second proof will typically be much shorter, as the yeast is already active. Use the poke test to gauge the proof. While slightly overproofed dough can still turn out well, if it’s gone too far, you might end up with a denser loaf than intended. Next time, try setting a timer or keeping a closer eye on your dough, especially in warm weather when it may proof faster than you think! | 
