Scoring & Baking Your Sourdough Bread
This is where you can get as creative as you want or keep it simple! The last chances to make the bread your own and really customize its flavor is in the scoring and baking process! To put it simply, scoring the dough gives your bread a specific place to expand during the baking process. You can make 1 big, simple score line or draw very intricate designs to make your loaf super fun! You also have some flexibility in the baking process to get your bread to the desired color. The first part of the baking process requires a covered pan to trap steam in and allow the bread to rise and expand. If the crust begins to set too early, this can lead to a denser crumb structure. The last part of baking is done with the lid removed and allows your bread to brown on the outside. This can be anywhere from 10-25 minutes. I tend to bake mine on the lighter side. This keeps the crust soft enough for my kiddos to be able to enjoy! A super dark crust adds lots of flavor but can also be harder to chew.
The following video walks you through the scoring process and what you want to look for to ensure you have cut your dough deeply enough.