leavening Definition
- 1the process of adding a leavening agent, such as yeast or baking powder, to dough or batter to produce fermentation and cause it to rise
- 2something that lightens or raises, such as yeast or baking powder
Using leavening: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "leavening" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The recipe calls for the leavening to be added after the flour.
Example
Baking soda is a common leavening agent used in many recipes.
Example
The bread didn't rise properly because there wasn't enough leavening.
leavening Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for leavening
- fermentation
- rising
- yeast
- baking powder
Phrases with leavening
a type of leavening that uses naturally occurring yeasts and bacteria to ferment dough or batter
Example
Sourdough bread is made using natural leavening.
double-acting leavening
a type of leavening that produces two stages of rising, first when it is mixed with liquid and then again when it is heated
Example
Baking powder is a double-acting leavening agent.
a type of leavening that uses chemical reactions to produce carbon dioxide gas, which causes dough or batter to rise
Example
Baking soda and baking powder are both examples of chemical leavening agents.
Summary: leavening in Brief
Leavening [ˈlɛvənɪŋ] refers to the process of adding a leavening agent like yeast or baking powder to dough or batter to make it rise. It can also refer to the agent itself. Examples include 'The recipe calls for the leavening to be added after the flour.' and 'Baking soda is a common leavening agent used in many recipes.' Different types of leavening include natural leavening, double-acting leavening, and chemical leavening.