Freshly baked bread from the oven tastes particularly delicious. The right bread dough is crucial. However, it is not only the ingredients that count, but also the manufacturing process of the bread. Bread dough should rest before baking to rise properly. This is where the fermentation basket comes into play. The baskets have several advantages: They ensure softer dough and fluffy bread that stays fresh longer. In addition, with the help of a proofing basket, you can achieve a more even bread shape and a nice structure on the bread surface. The baskets are traditionally made from rattan, which is obtained from rattan palms. Below you will find out what you should consider when using a proofing basket.
A proofing basket helps the bread dough rise properly. The material is mostly rattan, but sometimes also silicone or plastic. You can also buy proofing baskets in round, oval, square and triangular shapes. Depending on the material, there will later be different patterns on the bread. A proofing basket is used for breads that are baked without a baking pan, because — so-called released — breads have a larger proportion of crusts.
You prepare the bread dough of your choice and then place it in a proofing basket dusted with flour to let it rise. The basket supports the bread so it keeps its shape while rising and protects the dough from drying out. After the bread dough has rested long enough, you can turn out the dough and put it in the oven on a baking sheet.
No, you cannot use the proofing basket for baking in the oven.
Traditional proofing baskets made of rattan should always be left to dry well after use and then knocked out. If it is very dirty, you can soak the proofing basket in warm water and brush it out with a brush.
There are different types of fermentation baskets. On the one hand you can choose between different shapes, for example oval or square. On the other hand, some proofing baskets have a practical insert in the form of a cotton cloth. It serves to cover the fermenting dough all around. Alternatively, you can also use a kitchen towel for this.
You can extend the shelf life of home-baked bread from the oven if you store it properly. The easiest way to keep bread moist and crunchy is to put it in a bread bin. Make sure that the bread box has a ventilation hole so that it is not completely airtight and mold growth is prevented.
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