Sourdough Sweet Bread Food

SOURDOUGH MILK BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl gently mix all ingredients, just until incorporated. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
• Using slightly wet hands do several rounds of stretch and folds in the bowl, letting the dough rest for 5 minutes in between each round.
• Once the dough is soft and smooth with long strand gluten development, gently shape it into a ball in the bowl. Cover and proof overnight at room temp (65℉). I let mine go for 10 to 12 hours.
• Do one round of stretch and fold in the bowl to deflate the dough. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
• Butter two loaf pans and set them aside. (I use cast-iron or glass loaf pans)
• Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out. Divide in half and gently shape each half into a loaf by first patting the dough into a rectangle. Next, bring the top third toward the center and the bottom third over it. Let the dough rest for a few minutes and then do the same patting out and folding over in the opposite direction. Let the dough rest seam side down for 5 minutes before transferring it into the loaf pan for the final rise.
• Let the dough rise at room temperature until doubled.
• Preheat your oven to 400℉.
• Score the loaves straight down the middle with a lame or razor blade. Spray each loaf lightly with filtered water.
• Bake both loaves side by side in the center of the oven for 30 minutes. Rotate the loaves once at the 15-minute mark.
• Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes before turning the loaves out of the pans and cooling them completely on wire racks.

SWEET SOURDOUGH

Steps:

• First, make sure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly. If it isn't, feed it again and set aside. You can check it's ready by putting a tsp of the starter in warm water - if it floats, it's ready to use. Tip the starter, most of the egg (reserving a little if you want to glaze it later), 1 heaped tsp salt and all the other ingredients except the butter, into a bowl. Mix with your hands to form a rough dough, making sure all the flour from around the bowl is mixed in. You can do this in a tabletop mixer with a dough hook, if you prefer. Leave the dough covered with a damp cloth for 30 mins.
• Tip the dough onto a clean surface and knead for 15-20 mins by hand, or 5-8 mins in a mixer with a dough hook on a medium speed, until springy and glossy. Use your hands to work the butter into the dough - this will take about 5 mins. At first, it will look like it's not coming together, but keep working the dough through your fingers and it will become smooth and glossy. Form the dough into a ball and put back in the bowl. Cover and leave in a warm place for 2-3 hrs until nearly doubled in size. Your dough is now ready to use to make enriched breads, from cinnamon rolls and babka to sweet buns and doughnuts.
• To make two tin loaves, tip the dough onto a floured work surface and knead briefly, then spilt into two. Shape the dough into two rounds, then leave for 10 mins. Form the rounds into rough oblongs, then sit them in two 900g loaf tins. Leave the loaves out for another 2-3 hrs or in the fridge overnight until the dough has doubled in size again. For a plaited loaf, place the dough in the fridge for an hour to stiffen, then split into three, roll out into equal sized lengths of dough and neatly plait together. Lift the plaited loaf onto a lined baking tray, cover and leave at room temperature for another 2-3 hrs or in the fridge overnight, until the dough has doubled in size.
• To bake, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Brush the top of the loaves with the reserved beaten egg and bake for 30-35 mins until golden brown. Leave the loaves in the tins to cool a little, before transferring to a cooling rack.