Soft as a pillow, with the right texture and taste I'm talking about making your own homemade all purpose dough from scratch. The feel of flour between your fingers, the smell of yeast blooming, and the satisfaction of kneading something with love! It’s the foundation of countless meals. This homemade all purpose dough recipe is a lifesaver in the kitchen. Whether you’re craving warm dinner rolls, fluffy pizza crust, cheese buns, savory hand pies, or even soft cinnamon buns, this dough has your back.
All-purpose dough has been a staple in home kitchens across cultures for generations. In early times, every house hold almost, people would make a single dough and use it throughout the day. For example, baking flatbreads in the morning, rolling it for savory pastries at lunch, and stuffing it for a hearty dinner and what not. This kind of versatility is a busy cook’s dream. With just a few ingredients that can be easily found in your pantry, you can craft meals that are simple, comforting, and utterly delicious.
How to make All Purpose Dough Recipe ?
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Jump to:
- How to make All Purpose Dough Recipe ?
- Ingredients For All Purpose Dough Recipe
- Instructions For All Purpose Dough Recipe
- Why You Should Make This All Purpose Dough Recipe?
- Substitutions For All Purpose Dough Recipe
- Variations For All Purpose Dough Recipe
- Storage For All Purpose Dough Recipe
- Top tip
- FAQs
- Related
- Pairing
Ingredients For All Purpose Dough Recipe
- Warm Milk – Adds moisture and a subtle richness. Warm (not hot!) milk helps activate the yeast and results in a soft, tender dough.
- Active Dry Yeast – This is your dough’s rising agent. Make sure your yeast is fresh and active. You’ll proof it first to ensure your dough gets the lift it needs.
- Olive Oil or Neutral Oil – Helps keep the dough tender, adds flavor, and makes it easier to handle.
- Flour - Good quality flour is necessary for structure and texture of the dough.
- Warm Water – Adds extra hydration, ensuring the dough is soft but not sticky.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions For All Purpose Dough Recipe
- Step 1: In a warm water combine sugar, yeast and egg. Mix well and let it sit for 5–10 minutes
until foamy.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour and sea salt. Gradually pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture and begin to mix.
- Step 3: Add olive oil and knead the dough until soft, smooth, and elastic (about 8–10 minutes by
hand or 5–6 minutes using a stand mixer).
- Step 4: Cover the dough with a plastic wrap or clean cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled in size. 6. Once risen punch down the dough and use as desired.
Hint: Always proof your yeast. In a bowl, combine the sugar, warm milk, and yeast. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy. If it doesn’t bubble up, your yeast may be dead better to start fresh than end up with flat dough.
Why You Should Make This All Purpose Dough Recipe?
1. It’s Truly Versatile
This dough is your kitchen’s MVP, trust me when I say this. You can make fluffy dinner rolls to crispy pizza crusts and even yummy cinnamon buns, it adapts to whatever you’re in the mood for. One dough, endless possibilities.
2. Beginner-Friendly & Foolproof
Even if you’ve never tried to make a dough before, this is your sign to try ithis recipe! the instructions are pretty easy to follow. The ingredients are simple and readily available, overall it's perfect for first-timers and seasoned bakers alike.
3. Make Ahead, Save Time Later
You can make the dough ahead of time and it can be stored in fridge or freezer for future use. It stores well and actually improves in flavor as it rests. Great for meal planning and busy weeknights!
4. Fully Customizable
Add in whatever you like! Want to add herbs? Cheese? Garlic? Go ahead! This dough takes on added flavor beautifully. You can tailor it to suit savory or sweet recipes.
5. Healthier than Store-Bought
What homemade means? No preservatives, no hidden sugars or sodium. You control every ingredient, which means healthier meals for your family.
Substitutions For All Purpose Dough Recipe
Milk → Water: For a dairy-free option, use water or plant-based milk (almond, oat, or soy).
All-Purpose Flour → Whole Wheat Flour: Sub half for a nuttier taste and extra fiber.
Olive Oil → Melted Butter or Coconut Oil: For richer flavor or vegan swaps.
Sugar → Honey or Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener alternative (use slightly less).
Variations For All Purpose Dough Recipe
This All purpose dough can be customized as you like it. Here are a few variations that you can try:
Herbed Dough: Add dried oregano, basil, thyme, or garlic powder for flavor-packed breadsticks or pizza bases.
Cheesy Dough: Fold in shredded cheese like mozzarella or cheddar for savory buns.
Sweet Version: Add some cinnamon and vanilla to the dough, then roll into sweet rolls.
Storage For All Purpose Dough Recipe
Fridge: Store the dough (covered in a greased bowl) for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before shaping.
Freezer: Portion and wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, then seal the dough in a ziplock. It lasts up to 3 months. Thaw the all-purpose dough overnight in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before use.
After Baking: Baked items can be stored in a container for 2–3 days or frozen for longer freshness.
Check out more delicious recipes and foodie reviews on FoodvLove your go to destination for flavor packed inspiration!
Top tip
Don’t rush the rise. Let the dough rise until doubled in size this can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours depending on your kitchen’s warmth. A slow rise creates better flavor and texture.
FAQs
Absolutely! In fact, cold fermentation (letting the dough rise slowly in the fridge overnight) enhances both texture and flavor. Just make sure to cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Before using, allow the dough to come back to room temperature for about 30–45 minutes so it’s easier to shape.
The dough should roughly double in size during its rise. You can gently press your fingertip into it if the indentation stays and doesn’t spring back quickly, your dough is ready to be shaped or baked.
Traditional all-purpose dough relies on yeast for its rise and texture. If you're out of yeast, you can try a baking powder-based flatbread or yogurt dough instead but it won’t have the same elasticity or flavor. For best results, stick with active dry or instant yeast.
To make basic dough, you'll need all-purpose flour, water, salt, and optionally oil or sugar. If you're making yeast dough, you’ll also need active dry yeast or instant yeast.
Mix flour, salt, and proofed yeast (yeast + warm water + sugar), knead until smooth, let it rise until doubled, then shape and bake.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
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