How much is a "cake" of yeast?

Question

I'm trying to figure out my Great Grandmother's coffee cake recipe. I essentially have a list of ingredients and some rather vague notes on what to do with them. One of the notes says to dissolve 2 cakes of yeast in 1/4 cup of warm water. I'm stumped - does anyone know how much yeast (preferably by weight) one would find in a "cake"? This recipe is very very old, so I'm sure this is just and old fashioned way that yeast was packaged and sold... Thanks!!

BakerRB · Answer

I've seen smaller squares of fresh yeast, maybe 1"x1"x5" squares or so.  That's more like a half ounce, and seemed to be equivalent usage to a quarter ounce packet of dried yeast.

Susan W. · Answer

Very cool that you are making her recipe.

Abby · Answer

Thanks! Yes, the recipe yields 12 9" cakes, but they freeze and reheat very well.

Susan W. · Answer

Are you positive it doesn't say 1/2 or 1/3 of the cake yeast? That is the amount that should be dissolved in 1/4 cup water plus 1 tsp sugar after the yeast is dissolved.

Susan W. · Answer

I remember that stuff. It's still sold in some markets. Each 2oz cake=3 packets of instant yeast. 2 cakes is a ton of yeast. Is this for multiple cakes?

How much is a "cake" of yeast?

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