Is two packages of dry yeast equivalent to a small cake of yeast?

Answer 1

No they are not exactly the same, but very similar.

Bread Machine Yeast is added to the dry ingredients, whereas Active Dry Yeast is added to the liquid.

You can adding Active Dry Yeast to the warmed liquid (110-degrees or cooler) in the machine instead of adding Bread Machine Yeast on top of the dry ingredients. You however should not use the timed to bake later function if doing this.

Also you can grind Active Dry Yeast to a finer powder using a spice mill or mortar and pestle.

Also be aware that the weight of one teaspoon of Bread Machine Yeast as it is a finer powder and so more will fit in a teaspoon will be slightly different (+10%) from 1 teaspoon of Active Dry Yeast

1 teaspoon Bread Machine Yeast = 3.11 grams

1 teaspoon Active Dry Yeast = 2.83 grams

So add 2 extra pinches of Active Dry yeast to correct the recipe.,

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Bread Machine Yeast is yeast that is ground into finer particles and so does not need to be dissolved in water like Active Dry Yeast and so you can add it along with the dry ingredients.

Both Bread Machine Yeast and Active Dry Yeastrequire two rises of the dough.

There is also Rapid RIse Yeast which has added enzymes and additives so only requires one rise.

Answer 2

1 (.6 oz / 17 g) cube or cake of compressed yeast (also know as fresh yeast) = 1 package (1/4 oz / 7g) of active dry yeast