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Baking Techniques

Get the perfect loaf every time with the Challenger Bread Pan.
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Master the
Method

From Autolyse to Shaping to Cold Proofing, great bread depends on great technique.

We’ve compiled expert tutorials and videos to help you work smarter with your dough—whether you’re fine-tuning fermentation or learning to fold.

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We’ve compiled expert tutorials and videos to help you work smarter with your dough—whether you’re fine-tuning fermentation or learning to fold.

Autolyse

Here’s an in-depth look at what happens during an autolyse, and why it’s a key step in the bread making process.

Baking

Some helpful tips from Heather over at Leavenly on how to adjust your sourdough baking to suit a high-altitude.

Folding

The 10” fold is our own, Jim Challenger’s simple way to build gluten from inside the Proofing Box.

The lamination method is a way to build strength and structure in dough.

The slap and fold technique is a way to build strength in very high hydration doughs. 

A coil fold is a simple method of building dough strength that relies on surface tension and gravity.

Inclusions and Toppings

This method of adding inclusions is great for larger add-ins, such as nuts, olives, or dried fruit, and couldn’t be easier to do!

The lamination method of adding inclusions is a great way to evenly disperse small add-ins to your dough mix.

Porridge is a great way to add extra flavor and tenderness to your loaf.

Adding toppings to your bread is an easy way to add flavor, nutrition, and a decorative flair to your loaf.

Pre-Shape & Bench Rest

Pre-shaping helps tighten the dough up before the final shaping and bake.

Proofing

There are several indicators in a baked loaf that can help you understand if you are proofing your dough for the correct amount of time.

Sourdough proofing times can vary greatly depending on the environment. Here are a few simple and reliable ways to check for the correct proof in your dough.

Scoring

Learn why bakers score dough, and which tools you’ll need to get started.

Your dough is ready to score. Grab your curved lame – Baker Greg Wade demonstrates the best ways to score a batard.

Scoring a boule should be simple. It’s all about symmetry.

Most scoring mistakes come down to three things: depth, blade angle, and placement.

Shaping

A batard is one of the most iconic oval sourdough shapes.  Here’s two easy shaping methods.

A boule is a traditional round loaf, and is a great shape for beginning bakers to try.

Sourdough Starter

What do you do when you want enhanced flavor and texture in your bakes, but don’t have a sourdough starter ready to go? Make a poolish!

Understanding starters, and the role they play as the leavening agent in bread.

You’ve done it! Your starter is alive, it’s growing, it’s active. Now, the most important part for a sourdough baker: Starter Maintenance.

It’s all about timing. When you add starter to your dough affects the flavor of your bread.

Learning to know when your starter is at its peak and ready to feed is going to take a little time and a little patience, along with some observation.

Should you have a starter in the fridge? It’s good to have a back-up — for daily and infrequent bakers alike!

Stenciling

Stenciling is the extra step to make your bread look even more beautiful.

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