June 10, 2011 - 8:48am
Sourdough never passes windowpane test
I'm having my second go at sourdough, having given up in disgust about a year ago. It's going much better this time around! My starter is nice and active, my dough rises well... but this time, like my first attempt, the dough refuses to firm up. I can knead and knead, and it never developes enough to windowpane. I've never had a problem with commercially yeasted doughs, so I'm thinking it must be the starter's fault somehow. It doesn't really make sense to me, but that's all I can figure. Has this happened to anyone before? How do I fix it?
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If the dough is smooth and elastic and you can shape a loaf, go for it. The windowpane test is just a tool.
Ford
See if you can mix two small batches of simple dough at the same hydration ( ~66%) and same percentage salt (1-2%) from the same bag of flour, side by side, one with sourdough starter and the other one with commercial yeast. Report back with pictures if you can make a windowpane with one and not with the other.
I found that folding during bulk fermentation (once or twice depending on length of fermentation) works better for me. Hamelman's excellent book describes the plight of overkneaded dough. Check out a copy if you can. He also says that fully developed gluten isn't always desirable. Perhaps that is one (excellent) baker's perspective, but my results improved tremendously when I stopped chasing the window pane on sourdough breads. I am a novice with much to learn, but I wanted to share what works for me.
I too was not able to knead to obtain a window pane. When I kneaded a lot, the crumb of my loaves would be gray in colour. It looked very unattractive, though tasted quite flavorful. But after using the Stretch and Fold method in the bowl, my bread turned out way better.
I tried again today... This time I used a little more water, and also went with a stronger flour. Brilliant! Transcendent! Delicious! I have no idea which change did the trick, but I do know that I'll probably eat a loaf of sourdough bread every day until I die. Hurrah! (...She said, as she reached again for the butter knife.)