Yesterday, I was explaining to a friend at work how I make bread.  This seemed like a sign that I should try to document the process in this neglected weblog.  My intent is that I will simply post updates to this weblog as I make my bread over the course of the weekend.  If all goes according to plan, the result will be step-by-step instructions on how to bake bread.

My process is subject to change without notice, but I have been pretty consistent about my approach for the past year or so. I begin on Saturday morning and finish mid-afternoon on Sunday — roughly 30 to 34 hours (give or take a few). 

This may sound daunting, but it isn’t.  For nearly all that time, the ingredients are doing their thing and you can go off and enjoy your weekend.

My standard batch of bread is a formula based on 4 cups total water and around 9 cups of flour.  If this is too much for your mixer, then you can easily scale up or down as needed.

• Baking Bread, Step 1: Starter (5 min, Saturday Morning)
• Baking Bread, Step 2: Sponge (5 min, Saturday Evening)
• Baking Bread, Step 3: Mixing the dough (20 min, Sunday Morning)
• Baking Bread, Step 4: Proofing and Shaping (5 min, Sunday, Mid-day)
• Baking Bread, Step 5: Baking at last! (40 min, Sunday Afternoon)