The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Ciabatta gone flat

HippieHanks's picture
HippieHanks

Ciabatta gone flat

I know that ciabatta doesn't rise like say a sandwich bread, but I just tried making it, and it came out more like a flatbread, very little rise, and I did 4-45 minute rises, pressing down and turning the dough at each interval. Plus about a 3 hour rise after forming. I wonder if perhaps too long of a second rise? Help please!!

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

More information would be helpful.  :)

HippieHanks's picture
HippieHanks

KAF bakers companion cookbook recipe for a standard ciabatta. I made the biga, which rose beautifully. I think possibly when I was doing the first series of rises that I wasn't gentle enough when folding the loaf. The yeast is instant about a year old, but has been kept in the fridge, also was obviously active as the bread was rising. It called to cover the bread with heavily greased plastic wrap during last rise, I don't know if that had an adverse effect.  Although the bread seemed to rise nicely at first, the second rise was only so-so and there was almost no rise in the oven.

alfanso's picture
alfanso

"pressing down".  This is a delicate dough, and is never presses or punched down.  It is very gently folded.  Watch Ciril Hitz' video.  Or just about any other video not made by a Frank's Garage bread type.

HippieHanks's picture
HippieHanks

Thank you, I think I manhandled the dough too roughly during the first series of rises. Going to give it another try today. Thanks for the information on the video, will watch!!!

HippieHanks's picture
HippieHanks

Just watched the video, big help, and discouraging at the same time LOL!! Thanks!

kendalm's picture
kendalm

The master aka don bags returns !

IceDemeter's picture
IceDemeter

I find helpful follows the recipe found in the "most bookmarked" here on the home page.  The recipe is here: http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/2984/jasons-quick-coccodrillo-ciabatta-bread and the video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v24OBsYsR-A

Don't be discouraged - it takes time and practice to consistently get that kind of results.  Each round is fun, though, and the results taste great even if they don't look overly traditional ;)

Have fun with it!

HippieHanks's picture
HippieHanks

Thanks! I'm not giving up, although I may have to invest in a gym membership for my husband, the taste testing is starting to catch up with him ;-)