Creating a sourdough baking schedule that fits into your life can seem daunting - this is the number one complaint I get from students in my sourdough classes. And usually the reason people are afraid to start.
I try to remind them that sourdough is very forgiving and you will create a schedule that works for you and your family- I have 3 jobs and a 5 year old daughter and I manage to do it, so you can too!
All you need is patience - and a sourdough baking schedule!
Whether you work full time or you're chasing kids around, or you just don't want to be a slave to your dough - sourdough baking timelines help make sure that you can enjoy sourdough on your terms.
While it's true, sourdough baking can be a lengthy process, it can also be manipulated so that you can work the process around your daily life - things like feeding ratios, the amount of starter you use, and temperature help with this.
Creating a Sourdough Baking Schedule:
Knowing how to time your sourdough is a skill you will learn overtime - trust me! But I do think it's a good idea to prepare a sourdough bread timeline before you start baking your sourdough bread.
While you may not be able to adhere to it minute by minute (and you most likely won't!), it will ensure you have a general idea of what needs to happen and when. Plus, you will be less likely to miss any crucial steps.
Example of my Weekday Baking Schedule:
Here is an example of a baking timeline that you could use to fit sourdough into your life.
DAY 1
8am – Feed sourdough starter (I usually have to go to work after)
5pm – Premix and Autolyse (while I cook dinner)
5:30pm – Perform 2-4 sets of stretch & folds over the next few hours
7.30pm – Cover & leave on the counter overnight for bulk ferment (adjust the starter as needed for warmer nights)
DAY 2
6am – Shape & lift into banneton/bowl & into the fridge for cold ferment.
(I could bake my bread in the afternoon today if I wanted to, I just prefer a longer cold ferment)
7pm - Bake bread or longer cold ferment if I don't feel like baking (see Day 3)
DAY 3
8am – place into a hot oven to bake.
10am - slice into my delicious sourdough bread!
Does Sourdough Take Long to Bake?
The actual baking doesn't take long at all - usually around 40 minutes.
For a simple sourdough bread using 500g of flour and 350g of water, baking time should be around 20 minutes with the Dutch Oven lid on and around 15-20 minutes with the lid off. This is the recipe and baking time I almost always use.
(Photos taken by lovely Yana Zubko - who took one of my sourdough classes & is now crushing the sourdough bread game)
Interested in taking one of my Basic Sourdough Bread Classes? I have one more class during the month of November and I'd love to have you - please let me simplify sourdough for you! It's the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one this holiday season (and stay tuned for black Friday discounts). Click the photo below for class details.
Spreading love, one loaf at a time.
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