To those with cool kitchens: My kitchen/house stays on the cool side so I've always done what my grandmother did and put rising bread dough in the laundry room with the dryer running. There have to be clothes or something in dryer (at least mine) or it doesn't seem to heat up, but doing this makes the laundry room nice and toasty. My bread seems to like it. Good hint, Megan. The top of the water heater is usually a warm spot, too. Or put a cup of water in your microwave, heat it to boiling, then remove it (DON'T turn the microwave back on), and put in your bowl of dough. Nice, warm, steamy atmosphere... PJH

• Reply