Monday, September 28, 2026

Sourdough Croissant Bread with Grated SCS Butter

Ingredients

Levain

  • 6 g active sourdough starter

  • 57 g water

  • 57 g bread flour

Dough

  • 120 g ripe levain

  • 340 g water

  • 500 g bread flour

  • 10 g salt

  • 113 g unsalted SCS butter, very cold


Method

1. Prepare the Levain

Mix:

  • 6 g active sourdough starter

  • 57 g water

  • 57 g bread flour

Cover loosely and leave at 25–27°C for 10–12 hours, or until bubbly, expanded and active.


2. Mix the Dough

Combine:

  • 120 g ripe levain

  • 340 g water

  • 500 g bread flour

  • 10 g salt

Mix until all the flour is incorporated.

Cover and rest for 30 minutes.

Aim to keep the dough around 21–22°C.


3. Stretch and Fold #1

Perform one set of stretch and folds:

  1. Stretch one side of the dough upward.

  2. Fold it over the centre.

  3. Rotate the bowl.

  4. Repeat approximately 4 times.

Cover and rest for 30 minutes.


4. Prepare the Butter

Take 113 g very cold SCS butter.

For a warm kitchen, place the butter in the freezer for 20–30 minutes before grating.

Grate the butter using the large holes of a box grater.

Divide into two portions of approximately 56–57 g each.

Keep the second portion refrigerated until needed.


5. Stretch and Fold #2 + Butter

Scatter approximately 56–57 g grated cold butter over the dough.

Perform one complete set of stretch and folds, gently incorporating the butter into the dough.

Do not knead the butter in.

Small pieces of butter should remain visible.

Cover and rest for 30 minutes.


6. Stretch and Fold #3 + Butter

Add the remaining 56–57 g grated cold butter.

Perform another complete set of stretch and folds.

Gently incorporate the butter throughout the dough.

Cover and rest for 30 minutes.


7. Stretch and Fold #4

Perform one final set of stretch and folds.

The dough should now feel smoother, stronger and more elastic.

Cover.

Start with cold dough rather than warm dough. After the final fold, if your dough is already around 23–24°C, give it 15–20 minutes in the chiller before beginning the main bulk. That gives you more breathing room.


8. Bulk Fermentation

Leave the dough at room temperature if the dough temperature is around 21–23°C. In a warm Singapore kitchen, monitor the dough temperature rather than the room temperature. If the dough reaches 24°C or above, refrigerate for 15–30 minutes to cool it, then continue bulk fermentation. Continue until the dough has risen approximately 70%.

Look for:

  • Increased volume

  • Bubbles

  • A soft, airy appearance

  • A slightly jiggly dough

Do not allow the dough temperature to rise above approximately 24°C.

If the dough becomes too warm, refrigerate it briefly to bring the temperature down.


9. Pre-Shape

Gently turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.

Shape loosely into a round.

Cover and rest for 30 minutes.


10. Final Shape

Shape the dough into a tight boule or bâtard.

Place seam-side up into a well-floured banneton or lined bowl.


11. Cold Fermentation

Cover and refrigerate for 8–12 hours.


12. Preheat the Oven

Place a Dutch oven inside the oven.

Preheat to 245°C for 30–45 minutes.


13. Score

Remove the dough from the refrigerator.

Turn it onto baking paper.

Score the surface with a sharp lame or razor.


14. Bake

Place the dough into the preheated Dutch oven.

Cover and bake at:

245°C for 20 minutes

Remove the lid.

Reduce the temperature to:

230°C

Bake uncovered for another 20–25 minutes, until deeply golden brown.


15. Cool

Remove the loaf from the Dutch oven and place on a wire rack.

Cool completely for approximately 2 hours before slicing.

Temperature & Timing Summary

StageTemperatureTime
Levain25–27°C10–12 hours
Dough rest21–22°C30 minutes
Stretch & Fold #121–22°CRest 30 minutes
Stretch & Fold #2 + butter21–22°CRest 30 minutes
Stretch & Fold #3 + butter21–22°CRest 30 minutes
Stretch & Fold #421–22°C—
Bulk fermentation21–22°CUntil ~70% rise
Pre-shape restRoom temperature30 minutes
Cold fermentationRefrigerator8–12 hours
Preheat245°C30–45 minutes
Bake, covered245°C20 minutes
Bake, uncovered230°C20–25 minutes
CoolingRoom temperature~2 hours

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