Landbrot Wheat Sourdough Bread Recipes

WHOLE WHEAT SOURDOUGH BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve the levain in water. Add both flours, salt, and mix the ingredients together. Cover and let rest for 30 minutees to an hour.
• Perform the first set of stretching and folding.
• Perform an additional set of stretches and folds. Cover and let rest.
• Perform the final set of stretches and folds. Cover and let rest.
• Depending on your ambient temperature, the dough should double in size by this time. If not let it ferment until it does. If the room is too cold, place the bowl in the oven with the light on. When it does, divide the dough into two equal pieces. Shape into balls and place, seam side down, in proofing baskets. Cover and keep in a cool room (about 55F-60F) overnight. You may also refrigerate the dough but make sure the fridge does not run too cold.
• If the dough was refrigerated, take it out of the fridge and let sit at room temperature for 2 hours or even longer, until you see some increase in the volume from the last night and the dough passes the 'finger poke' test. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 500F.
• When ready to bake, prepare two pieces of parchment paper, turn the dough over on the parchment sheets, score and load in the oven.
• Drop the temperature to 485F and bake with steam for 20 minutes. If baking in a cloche or a cast iron combo cooker, there is no need to worry about the steam. Next, bake without steam at 450F for 30 minutes.
• Remove bread from the oven. Cool on a cooling rack for an hour before slicing.

LIGHT WHOLE WHEAT SOURDOUGH BREAD

Steps:

• Whole whether doughs tend to rise faster than white doughs, especially in warm weather. To avoid over proofed dough, I like to start mixing in the afternoon (usually between 2-3 PM) when I know I'll be home to stretch and fold the dough. Please adjust your rise times based on temperature.
• Combine the sourdough starter and water in a large bowl. Add the flour and salt. Mix with a fork and then finish by hand to fully incorporate the flour. It will feel very wet and sticky. Cover with a damp towel or wrap and let rest for 1 hour on your countertop, returning to the bowl after the first 30 minutes to work the dough into a rough ball.
• After the dough has rested for 1 hour, do your first fold.
• Gather a portion of the dough, stretch it upward, and fold it over toward the center of the bowl. Give the bowl a 1/4 turn and repeat 3 more times, stretch and folding the dough to come full circle around the bowl (4 folds = 1 set). If the dough still feels slack after the 1st set, do an additional 4 folds around the bowl to tighten the dough.
• For best results, do 4 sets total spaced 30 minutes apart resting the covered dough in a warm spot in between each set (see tip below). Notice how the dough will tighten after the 4th set. See video for technique.
• When finished with the folds, cover the bowl and continue the bulk rise (untouched) at 75-78 F for about for 2-3 hours. The dough is ready when it has almost doubled in size. Wrap and chill the whole bowl overnight; the dough will continue to rise only slightly in the fridge when the dough is warm.
• Preheat your home oven to the lowest setting for 30- 45 seconds and then shut it off. Place the covered bowl of dough inside to bulk up. The temperature should be 75-78 F and no higher than 80 F. Use an oven thermometer (and common sense) to keep track of the temperature. Dough that is too warm will become wet, sticky, and a tricky to work with. Alternatively, use a proofing box.
• The following morning, make sure the dough has doubled in size. If not, give it more time to bulk up, if needed. This is important to build strength.
• Line a small bowl with a cotton or linen cloth. Sprinkle with flour. You're going to shape the dough twice to build extra strength.
• Remove the cold dough onto a floured surface. Let rest for 10-15 minutes to take some of the chill off. Shape the dough into a loose ball using the envelope technique. Starting at the top of the dough, stretch and fold it over toward the center. Then stretch and fold the bottom of the dough toward the center. Repeat on the left side...and then the right side. Using a bench knife, scoop up the dough and flip it over so the smooth side is facing up. Cover and rest for 20-30 minutes.
• After the dough has rested, flip it over again (the smooth side should be facing down now). Shape it again following the steps above. Flip it back over. With floured hands, gently cup the dough and pull it toward you in a circular motion to tighten its shape. Place the dough into the lined bowl, seam side up. Cover with the cloth overhang.
• Rest in the warm spot you used earlier for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The dough is ready when it looks puffy and has risen slightly, but has not yet doubled in size. The dough should not be very cold prior to baking.
• Preheat your oven to 450 towards the tail end of the second rise.
• Cut a sheet of non-stick parchment paper to fit the size of your baking pot, leaving enough excess around the sides to remove the bread.
• Place the parchment over the dough and invert the bowl to release. Sprinkle the dough with flour and gently rub the surface with your hands. Using the tip of a bread lame, small, serrated knife or a razor blade, make four shallow 4-inch long cuts at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock around the dough. Use the parchment paper to transfer the dough to the baking pot.
• Bake the dough on the center rack for 20 minutes, covered. Remove the lid, and continue to bake for 40 minutes and golden brown.
• When finished, transfer to a wire rack. Cool for 1 hour before slicing, for best texture.

AUTHENTIC GERMAN BREAD (BAUERNBROT)

Steps:

• First, make the sourdough starter. Crumble the yeast into a large bowl. Whisk in 1 quart of warm water and 2 tablespoons of sugar until dissolved. The water should be just slightly warmer than body temperature. Gradually whisk in 4 cups of flour, continuing to mix until all lumps are gone. Cover with a dish towel, and let sit for 24 hours at room temperature.
• After 24 hours, stir well, cover, and let stand another 24 hours. It will be a thin, light-colored sourdough which is then ready to use.
• In a large bowl, stir together the rye flour, remaining 4 cups of all-purpose flour, salt and sugar. Mix in the sourdough starter using a wooden spoon, then stir in 2 cups of warm water. I transfer the dough to a heavy-duty stand mixer to mix the first couple of minutes, then it can't handle the heavy dough and I start using my hands by turning the dough out onto a floured surface. A clean countertop works best. Knead the dough, adding a few tablespoons of water at a time if it is too stiff. Fold the dough over, pull it apart, whatever you can do to get it kneaded up good. Total kneading time should be 15 to 20 minutes to get a smooth dough. Place the dough in a large bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, 1 to 2 hours.
• When the dough has risen, scrape it out of the bowl and back onto a floured surface. Knead for about 5 minutes. This is important to activate the gluten. Shape into 1 or 2 long loaves. Place on baking sheets, and let rise for about 1 hour, or until your finger leaves an impression when you poke the bread gently.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Bake the bread for about 45 minutes for 2 loaves, 1 1/2 hours if you made one big loaf. Don't worry if the crust is dark. The bread will be delicious and so will the crust. Cool completely before cutting. I always freeze half.