Easy Sourdough Bread Scoring Snowflake Tutorial
Let’s dive into a simple sourdough bread-scoring snowflake tutorial that will allow you to create a beautiful snowflake design on your bread!
Bread scoring can be an intimidating part of sourdough bread baking.
And while you could sit on the sidelines and create simple sourdough scores like a cross shape or an ear, it’s pretty easy to make an impressive and fun score.
And, here’s the truth…the score does NOT have to be perfect… allow yourself to have fun and enjoy the creative art of sourdough scoring!
This snowflake score looks magical and whimsical, but it’s actually straightforward. The trick is to break down each step and apply the right amount of pressure to your scores.
Get my popular chocolate sourdough bread recipe here.
Scoring Tips
Scoring was challenging for me at first, so I have a few tips that will help your bread work with you instead of against you:
- Freeze the dough for 20-30 minutes before scoring. The cold dough is so much easier to score!
- Use a scoring tool that is comfortable for you AND effective. For me, that is a simple razor blade.
- Speaking of razor blades, use a new, sharp blade when scoring. If the dough drags due to a dull blade, it can ruin your score.
- You do not need to create a deep expansion score; the steam will escape through all the small scores you create!
Get my complete guide to bread scoring here.
Easy Bread Recipes For Scoring
This pretty winter score will work well on my simple sourdough and same-day recipes.
How To Score A Snowflake On Your Sourdough Bread
Here are step-by-step instructions on scoring a lovely little snowflake onto your sourdough bread:
Step 1:
Dust your loaf with rice flour or bread flour. Divide the dough into 8 or 12 sections with a string (either will work!). Lightly press the string on the dough to define the pattern- you will follow those lines when scoring:
Step 2:
Using your razor blade, make a very LIGHT score down each line you created with your string. This score should cut the dough finely, almost like writing a line with a pencil. It is a very shallow score.
Between each line, create one score about a 1/2 inch long, slightly deeper than the scores you made before. Do not use a heavy hand; you just need the scores to be about a 1/4 inch deep.
Step 3:
Now, we will create the outline of the snowflake. This score should be done with the same pressure as the cuts you made in step #3. Do not go too deep.
Work your way around the snowflake, making a “v’ shape in each triangular shape of the dough, to make the outline of your snowflake. When finished, create two or three more outlines of your snowflake, following the same pattern.
Baking
Place the sourdough bread dough into a cold Dutch oven and bake at 450 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
*Feel free to adjust the bake time and method as needed with your recipe.
Learn how to score Christmas trees and spider webs with these articles.
