The quickest way to thaw frozen bread dough is in the microwave. Spray a microwave-safe plate with nonstick cooking spray and place the dough directly on the plate. Microwave on the defrost setting, uncovered for three to five minutes. The dough may still need some time to rise, depending on the type of dough you have. This method works best for small loaves and rolls. Larger frozen loaves may not thaw evenly or may develop dry spots on the surfaces.

A gentler, more reliable method for thawing bread dough is in a warm oven or over a heating vent. Spray a bowl or baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and place the dough in the pan. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Set the dough in an oven set on its lowest setting or over a heating vent. Other warm areas in your kitchen work, too, such as the back of the stovetop. Some ovens have a "bread proofing" setting, which automatically sets the oven temperature at 100 degrees Fahrenheit -- the ideal temperature for thawing or rising bread dough. Using this method, your frozen dough should be ready to bake within 30 minutes to two hours -- not quite as fast as the microwave, but you'll get better results.

Allowing frozen bread to thaw at room temperature isn't lightning quick, but it's probably faster than you think. Place a frozen loaf or rolls in a baking pan prepared with nonstick cooking spray. Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a clean towel and set it on a counter top away from drafts. Rolls will thaw within an hour or two, while loaves take two or three hours.

Merely thawing frozen yeast bread isn't enough to produce light, delicious results. The bread must have time to rise and double in size. As the yeast in the bread warms, it produces carbon dioxide bubbles, which cause the dough to expand. If you bake a frozen bread dough without allowing it to rise, you'll get a dense, flat loaf.