What is homemade dough?

"Homemade dough" is a broad term that refers to any dough made from scratch at home, rather than being purchased pre-made. It can be made from a variety of ingredients, including:

* Flour: This is the main ingredient in most doughs, providing structure and texture. Common types include all-purpose, bread, cake, and pastry flour.

* Liquid: Water, milk, or other liquids are used to hydrate the flour and activate the gluten.

* Yeast: For leavened doughs like bread, yeast is used to create carbon dioxide bubbles that make the dough rise.

* Fat: Butter, oil, or shortening can be added for richness, flavor, and tenderness.

* Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps feed the yeast.

* Salt: Enhances flavor and controls the yeast's activity.

Examples of homemade dough include:

* Bread dough: Used for making loaves of bread, rolls, and pizza crust.

* Cookie dough: For cookies, bars, and other sweet treats.

* Pie dough: For pie crusts and tart shells.

* Pastry dough: For croissants, puff pastry, and other laminated pastries.

* Pizza dough: A specific type of bread dough, often made with a high hydration.

* Dumpling dough: Used to wrap fillings for dumplings and pot stickers.

* Tortilla dough: For making flatbreads like tortillas and wraps.

Benefits of making homemade dough:

* Freshness: Homemade dough is typically made with fresh ingredients, resulting in a tastier and more flavorful product.

* Control: You have complete control over the ingredients and how the dough is made. This allows you to customize it to your liking and avoid unwanted additives.

* Cost-effectiveness: In many cases, making dough from scratch can be more cost-effective than buying pre-made dough.

* Satisfaction: There's a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from making something delicious from scratch.

The specific ingredients and techniques used to make homemade dough will vary depending on the type of dough and the desired outcome.