Skip to content
Sourdough Bulk Fermentation Float Test Loaf
Bakery

Sourdough Bulk Fermentation Float Test Loaf

19 hServes 1Nutri-Score C€
Adapt this recipe

what you need

Ingredients

1 person
  • bread flourGrains500 g
  • water (lukewarm)Beverages350 ml
  • sourdough starter (active, bubbly)Other100 g
  • saltSpices10 g
  • water (lukewarm, for the float test)Beverages240 ml

per serving

Nutrition

1,840kcal

Carbs
380 g
Proteins
62 g
Fat
8 g
Adapt tools

what you’ll use

Tools

  • Mixing bowl
  • glass
  • banneton
  • Dutch oven

step by step

Method

  1. Mix the dough

    • Combine the bread flour, lukewarm water, sourdough starter and salt in a mixing bowl.
    • Mix until no dry flour remains, then cover and let rest.
    Step 1
  2. Stretch and fold

    • Perform four rounds of stretch and folds, spacing them out.
    • Cover the bowl between each round.
    Step 2
  3. Set up the float test

    • Pour the lukewarm water into a glass.
    • Pinch off a chunk of the dough and drop it into the water: if it sinks, it is not ready yet.
    • Leave the glass next to the dough, cover both and let bulk fermentation continue.
    Step 3
  4. Wait for the dough to float

    • Watch the glass until the piece of dough floats on its own, which signals the end of bulk fermentation.
    • Check the dough: it should jiggle and pull away cleanly from the edges of the bowl.
    Step 4
  5. Shape and cold proof

    • Shape the dough quickly into a tight round.
    • Place it in the banneton and refrigerate overnight.
    Step 5
  6. Bake

    • Bake the cold dough in a preheated oven until deeply browned and hollow-sounding.
    • Let the loaf cool completely before slicing.
    Step 6