“Proofing” is just a fancy word for the final rise. Your dough needs a cozy, warm spot to puff up after shaping. The oven is that secret spa. But we’re not turning it on to bake yet. We’re using its gentle heat.
Think of your dough as a sleepy bear. Cold makes it grumpy and slow. Warmth wakes it up, making it grow big and bubbly. The oven is the bear’s favorite sunbeam.
