Submitted by expatCanuck on November 12, 2007 - 12:32pm

How to get a nice brown caramelized loaf?


Here's a shot of a recent, representative loaf:

http://oldwithoutmoney.com/sourdoughLoafnBuns.jpg

A some significant cracking along one end & side, but reasonable form, decent results from scoring, a decent crust, and it tasted yummy good.
(Baked in a loaf pan at 425.)

But none of that brown caramelizing that characterized many a fine loaf.

What can I do to get that nice brown color? 

Thanks

 - Richard
www.oldWithoutMoney.com

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Turning the temperature of

Turning the temperature of your oven up for at least a portion of the time will help. I often start loaves at 475 or so and then drop the temp to 425 after 5 or 10 minutes. That also seems to help oven spring.

You may also want to try moving the oven rack up one notch.

A little barley malt

Helps with browning.  Try 1 T per loaf.

SOL

temperature

 Hello  expatCanuck,

as Floydm  already wrote:
start 10-15 Minutes (depends on the size of loaf) with 480°F and switch down then to 390°F and finish with that temperature.

And the malt mentioned by staff of life also helps, but changes the taste a bit to the sweet.

Harry

 ---------------------------------------
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so don´t give narrowmindedness or
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You could always do a wash

You could always do a wash of whole egg just before baking.

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