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18 Reviews
Taly
January 13, 2022
This recipe turned out amazing, even though I made a number of mistakes -- I can't wait to make it right! I added the salt too early, used all the levain (so had to add an extra 1/4 cup flour to get to the windowpane stage), and used a 9x5 loaf pan. It rose beautifully and tastes great.
halfsweetsundays
January 13, 2022
Thanks for giving this a try and happy to hear it worked out well for you despite the adjustments!
JJ P.
September 18, 2021
2nd time making this. Great recipe! I did overcook by 2 min and it ended up at 205 F which made the crust a little harder. This batch though I thought was significantly tangier than my 1st go round. Any ideas? Is it from taking the final temp up higher?
I usually make a double batch (6 pieces) and cook it in a long cast iron casserole at conv bake 350. Still takes me 35 min since it's a double batch.
I usually make a double batch (6 pieces) and cook it in a long cast iron casserole at conv bake 350. Still takes me 35 min since it's a double batch.
Katrina T.
August 11, 2021
Trust the recipe. It works, and it's good.
And don't be tempted to do an overnight autolyse.
And don't be tempted to do an overnight autolyse.
Katrina T.
August 10, 2021
Is there something missing from the main dough? It seems to be extremely low hydration - 40g milk + 1 egg to 200g flour.
halfsweetsundays
August 10, 2021
The remaining hydration in the dough comes from addding in your levain and the yudane, which both have water in them!
Katrina T.
August 10, 2021
Thanks for the quick reply! But the levain and yudane also have an equal proportion of flour in them, hence the overall hydration levels will remain the same, at less than 50%.
I was curious because I am doing an overnight autolyse of the dough (I popped it in the fridge after an hour on the counter because it's 11.50pm and 28C here now), and it's really dry.
Anyhoo, I'm eager to mix this up tomorrow morning. Thanks again!
I was curious because I am doing an overnight autolyse of the dough (I popped it in the fridge after an hour on the counter because it's 11.50pm and 28C here now), and it's really dry.
Anyhoo, I'm eager to mix this up tomorrow morning. Thanks again!
halfsweetsundays
August 10, 2021
The final hydration before adding the butter should be ~55% (assuming your starter is at 100% hydration to start with). The butter will add some richness, but the dough will definitely be on the stiffer side, which also makes it easier to roll and shape before your final proof. However, it shouldn't be dry after incorporating your butter - you're looking for a smooth, stretchy, and slightly tacky (not very sticky). If you find your dough is looking dry, I would say use your judgement and try adding a little more milk :) Best of luck - can't wait to hear how it goes!
Katrina T.
August 11, 2021
It was awesome! Perfect! I won't do the overnight autolyse.
It doubled during the 2nd proof and doubled again in the oven. Will definitely make this again! Thank you
It doubled during the 2nd proof and doubled again in the oven. Will definitely make this again! Thank you
Connie
July 9, 2021
As this recipe makes one loaf, why do we divide it into 2 or 3 balls when pre-shaping?
What about having a lid on when baking? Wouldn't that help the rise?
Thanks!
What about having a lid on when baking? Wouldn't that help the rise?
Thanks!
halfsweetsundays
July 10, 2021
Dividing it into 2-3 pieces and rolling it up makes it so you have that classic Shokupan loaf shape where it looks like multiple small loaves baked side by side — plus, it’s fun to pull the pieces apart once fully baked to see that soft shreddable texture! If you kept the dough as one piece it should still work, but you’d get more of a classic sandwich bread shape. As for the lid, the loaf should rise perfectly fine without a lid as long as you have a strong starter and the dough is sufficiently proofed, but you could try putting the lid on if you want to get a square loaf shape. Hope that helps!
Connie
July 11, 2021
Thanks, I did 2 balls, next time 3. It's lovely, but next time I'll double the recipe. It toast so well! My usual sourdough bread warms but doesn't toast because it lacks sugar. Everyone's favorite.
I added the salt with the other ingredients to simplify. So much to learn about the why and when of salt in baking sourdough, what are your thoughts? Thanks.
I added the salt with the other ingredients to simplify. So much to learn about the why and when of salt in baking sourdough, what are your thoughts? Thanks.
Connie
July 5, 2021
My first shokupan. I was interrupted for a few hours after #4. When I returned, this babe had became a problem child. The dough was too dry, adding the egg and butter was difficult. In frustration I wet my hands and bathed the dough in water. Then shaping, #7 and 8, couldn't happen, the dough was too wet. I put her to rest in the baking pan for the night.
In the morning the rise was about double so I proceeded to bake.
Ok! She came out crumbly when cut, but tasting and looking lovely!
I'm looking forward to round 2 when I can be more present.
In the morning the rise was about double so I proceeded to bake.
Ok! She came out crumbly when cut, but tasting and looking lovely!
I'm looking forward to round 2 when I can be more present.
Kait
April 28, 2021
I just made this and used the lid of my Pullman loaf pan and got a perfect square loaf with a great golden blonde color. Very pleased to find a simple sourdough shokupan recipe. Can't wait to make an egg salad sandwich with this!
halfsweetsundays
April 28, 2021
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try! An egg salad sandwich with this bread sounds so good - I'll have to give that a try myself sometime soon :)
ian
April 18, 2021
Overall great recipe - end result had great flavor, very rich without too much sweetness. No noticeable tang either, just a bit more complexity from what I can tell.
The timing cues for mixing the dough were helpful, but I ended up using some supplementary resources for proofing cues - this recipe only includes time and volume, which are certainly helpful but by no means the only strategy. What I would recommend is to follow this recipe but read a few others as well just for those additional cues, like how the dough should look and feel when it is proofed enough.
A few other thoughts, I actually did a 24 hr retard in the fridge for timing reasons, so made dough on Friday, fridged, and pulled out to proof Saturday night. Still worked great, just had to use the oven light trick to warm it back up and get on track with proofing.
The timing cues for mixing the dough were helpful, but I ended up using some supplementary resources for proofing cues - this recipe only includes time and volume, which are certainly helpful but by no means the only strategy. What I would recommend is to follow this recipe but read a few others as well just for those additional cues, like how the dough should look and feel when it is proofed enough.
A few other thoughts, I actually did a 24 hr retard in the fridge for timing reasons, so made dough on Friday, fridged, and pulled out to proof Saturday night. Still worked great, just had to use the oven light trick to warm it back up and get on track with proofing.
halfsweetsundays
April 18, 2021
Thanks for taking the time to give my recipe a try - glad it was successful! And thanks as well for the note on including some additional cues on how the final dough should look after it's proofed.
ian
April 19, 2021
Oh of course! I’ll definitely make this again. And regarding the more qualitative cues, I think those are best communicated by video or in person, which is why it didn’t feel like the recipe was *missing* anything, only that other resources (like YouTube) can be helpful. On that note, it would be great to see food52 do a video for this recipe!
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