I learned so tips and tricks from this subreddit, thank you all! I’m really happy with how my first loaf came out and I learned a lot. My biggest lesson learned is to ACTUALLY let it cool. I let it rest for only 1.5hrs and it was still steamy and moist. I was too excited but I see now why people suggest 4-12hrs (painful). It was difficult to score & cut the bread with a regular knife so I may invest in some better tools. I will put the recipe/technique in the comments with some minor adjustments for next time. Please let me know your thoughts especially if there is something I can improve upon.
by ThicccPikachu
7 Comments
Background info: I like in New England and my house is pretty cold so my starter took longer to peak and I proofed in an oven with the light on.
Recipe
* Fed starter night before
* In the morning I whisked 125g starter and 325g warm water (85ish degrees)
* Mixed 500g bread flour and 10g fine salt (next time I will do 450g bread flour and 50g whole wheat flour and 8g of salt) until you get a shaggy dough
* Pinch/squeeze with hands to mix for a minute or two
* Cover with a damp towel and rest for 1hr in the oven with a light on. Do 3 series of stretch and folds 1hr apart
* Bulk rise for 3 hours in the oven with the light on
* Bring to counter, shape, and rest for 20min covered with a towel
* Final shape and place in a floured banneton (will try rice flour next time)
* Proof banneton covered with a shower cap overnight in fridge
* Preheat oven for 30min at 450 degrees with dutch oven (DO) on middle rack and baking sheet on bottom rack
* Score bread on on parchment paper that has been cut to fit the DO with handles
* Bake covered for 35min and uncovered for 10min (next time I will do 40min covered)
* Let rest fully before cutting (still figuring out the timing on this)
Beautiful loaf. Enjoy!
Beautiful! That is not what my first loaf looked like. Keep it up
Awesome! I’m no loaf 21 and still not as pretty as yours. Agree on letting it sit longer, I find cutting it too early leaves a residue on my bread knife. But I’ve never been able to wait
If that’s your first try then definitely good job
Natural talent 🥰👍🏼
Dang, I’m like 10 loaves in and not getting those results! I’ll replicate your process *exactly* and see what comes of it.
this is so beautiful!!!!