What causes dough to expand and rise NYT crossword answer is:
YEAST (5 letters length)The answer for What causes dough to expand and rise crossword clue is listed above to help you solve the puzzle you are currently working on.
The expansion and rising of dough is caused by the action of yeast. Yeast is a type of fungus that produces carbon dioxide gas when it feeds on the sugars in the dough. This gas is trapped in the dough, causing it to expand and rise. Additionally, the heat generated by the yeast's metabolism helps the dough to rise further. This process is known as leavening, and is essential for making breads, cakes, and other baked goods.