Your First Loaf — Start to Finish

The whole ritual in one sitting — from the morning feed to the moment you tap the base and hear that hollow note. No jargon, just the rhythm of the day.

Your First Loaf — Start to Finish
Prep 30 min
Proof 8 hrs
Bake 20–25 min
Makes 1 loaf
Level Beginner

Method

  1. Morning feed (8 am)

    Discard all but 50 g of your starter. Add 50 g bread flour and 50 g room-temperature water. Stir well, cover loosely and leave at room temperature. In 4–8 hours it should double and smell gently sour.

  2. Mix your dough (12 pm)

    When the starter is domed and a spoonful floats in water, it's ready. Whisk 350 g water and the starter together, then add 450 g bread flour and 50 g wholewheat. Mix until no dry flour remains. Cover and rest 45 minutes.

  3. Add salt & start folding (1 pm)

    Dissolve 10 g salt in a small splash of water and work it into the dough. Over the next 2 hours, give the dough a stretch-and-fold every 30 minutes — four rounds total. Between rounds, cover and leave it alone.

  4. Baker's Tip

    A stretch-and-fold is simple: wet your hand, grab one side of the dough, stretch it up and fold it over the top. Rotate the bowl 90° and repeat until you've done all four sides. That's one set.

  5. Bulk ferment (3 pm – 6 pm)

    Leave the dough covered at room temperature. It's ready when it has grown 50–75%, feels airy when you shake the bowl, and holds a slight dent when you poke it gently.

  6. Shape & into the banneton (6 pm)

    Turn the dough onto an unfloured surface. Fold the edges toward the centre, flip it over and use your hands to drag it toward you — building surface tension. Flour the banneton generously, place the dough seam-up, and cover.

  7. Cold proof overnight

    Put the banneton in the fridge. The slow cold proof develops flavour and makes the dough firmer and easier to score. Leave it 8–16 hours — you have a wide window.

  8. Score & bake (next morning)

    Preheat your oven to 240°C / 465°F with a Dutch oven inside for at least 45 minutes. Turn the dough onto a square of baking paper, score quickly with the lame at a 30° angle, lower into the pot and bake covered 20 min, uncovered 20–25 min until deep golden.

  9. Cool completely

    Transfer to a wire rack and wait at least one hour. Tap the base; it should sound hollow.

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