The best way to freeze and thaw bread dough for later use is as follows:

  1. Make the dough according to the recipe instructions and allow it to prove[1].
  2. Knock the dough back, shape it into rolls or a loaf, and freeze it on a lightly greased baking tray or loaf tin[1].
  3. Once frozen, remove the dough from the tin/tray, wrap it tightly in cling film or seal it in a freezer bag, and date the wrapped dough[1]. Consume the dough within 6 months[1].
  4. When you’re ready to use the dough, remove the packaging, place it on an oiled baking tin/tray, and cover it with a damp tea towel[1].
  5. Allow the dough to thaw and rise in a warm environment until it has doubled in size and is light and puffy[1].
  6. Be careful not to overprove the dough. Bake the bread according to your recipe instructions, but you may need to bake it slightly longer (by an additional 10-15 minutes)[1].

Remember to store the dough in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn and ensure the best quality when thawing and baking.

Citations: [1] How to Freeze Bread Dough - Baking Mad https://www.bakingmad.com/baking-tips/how-to-freeze-bread-dough [2] 3 Ways to Defrost Dough - wikiHow https://www.wikihow.com/Defrost-Dough [3] Different Ways to Work with Frozen Bread Dough - DeIorios https://www.deiorios.com/working-with-frozen-bread-dough/ [4] Freezing Yeast Dough: 2 Ways to Freeze Bread Dough - Taste of Home https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/freezing-yeast-dough/ [5] HOW TO THAW FROZEN DOUGH - Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/1993/11/9/19075589/how-to-thaw-frozen-dough [6] 36 Genius Recipes That Start With Frozen Bread Dough - Taste of Home https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/frozen-bread-dough-recipes/ [7] How to Freeze Yeast Bread Dough to Keep It Fresh - The Spruce Eats https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-freeze-yeast-bread-dough-427560 [8] Speed Thaw Method - Rhodes Bake-N-Serv https://rhodesbakenserv.com/portfolio-item/speed-thaw/ [9] Frozen bread dough - Trawler Forum https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s30/frozen-bread-dough-55684.html [10] Can you freeze bread dough and bake it later? What’s the procedure? : r/Cooking - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Cooking/comments/qrqh9e/can_you_freeze_bread_dough_and_bake_it_later/ [11] Thawed frozen dough - Seasoned Advice - Stack Exchange https://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/78386/thawed-frozen-dough [12] Difficulty with frozen bread dough - Seasoned Advice - Stack Exchange https://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/94663/difficulty-with-frozen-bread-dough [13] Freezing bread dough to bake later | The Fresh Loaf https://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/5100/freezing-bread-dough-bake-later [14] 5 Ways to Use Frozen Bread Dough - The Pioneer Woman https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/cooking-tips-tutorials/a102281/5-ways-to-use-frozen-bread-dough/ [15] How to Make Bread from Frozen Bread Dough Recipe - Food.com https://www.food.com/recipe/how-to-make-bread-from-frozen-bread-dough-536197 [16] Can I freeze my yeast dough? - King Arthur Baking https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2021/07/06/freeze-yeast-dough-make-ahead-bread [17] Quick Method for Thawing Frozen Bread Dough | Our Everyday Life https://oureverydaylife.com/quick-method-thawing-frozen-bread-dough-39789.html [18] 13 Recipes with Frozen Bread Dough That Taste Totally Homemade https://www.bhg.com/recipes/bread/frozen-bread-dough-fix-ups/ [19] Freezing Bread Dough: How to Bake Frozen Bread Dough - 2023 - MasterClass https://www.masterclass.com/articles/freezing-bread-dough [20] How to Quickly Defrost Package Dough - DeIorios https://www.deiorios.com/how-to-quickly-defrost-package-dough-2/ [21] 10 Uses for Frozen Bread Dough | Food Network Healthy Eats https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/2013/03/10-uses-for-frozen-bread-dough [22] How to Freeze Various Kinds of Bread Dough - YouTube https://youtube.com/watch?v=NlIuDpQmEVU