What Can I Bake with Fresh Yeast?

Emma Christensen
Emma Christensen
Emma is a former editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews and Brew Better Beer. Check out her website for more cooking stories
updated May 2, 2019
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Q: I just picked up some fresh yeast, and the baker said I needed to use it within 3-4 days!

Do you know of any recipes that could be made on a work-night, or even something I can put together in the morning and then cook or bake later?

Anything I can do with it other than bake? Thanks for your help!

Sent by Kat

Editor: You can substitute fresh yeast (also called cake yeast or compressed yeast) for the dry yeast in any baking recipe. Use twice the amount of fresh yeast as active dry yeast called for in the recipe. If the recipe calls for instant yeast, use a little less than double the amount of fresh yeast.

Unfortunately, fresh yeast does not freeze very well, so be sure to use it up within a few days of purchasing. If you start to see a lot of dark or dried spots on the outside of the yeast, it’s time to toss it and find some new yeast.

For weeknight recipes, try making some no-knead bread:

• How to Make No-Knead Bread • No-Knead Multi-Grain Peasant Bread

Readers, any other thoughts or recipe suggestions?

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Related: What’s the Difference? Instant, Active-Dry, and Rapid-Rise Yeast

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