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Rise & RitualBY SOL & SAHARA GOODSMy learning
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Challah-inspired bread · Intermediate

The braided sourdough table

Learn the structure and handling behind an oil-and-egg enriched braided sourdough.

Lesson 3 of 4

Braid with room to rise

The crossings should be neat without compressing the dough into a tight rope.

Ingredients for this learning path

  • A complete sourdough challah formula
  • Egg and oil as specified
  • Black and white sesame seeds, optional

Equipment

  • Scale
  • Bench scraper
  • Baking sheet
  • Pastry brush

The lesson

  1. Join the strands at one end. Cross the right strand over the middle, then the left over the new middle. Repeat.
  2. Keep the braid relaxed and evenly spaced. Tuck the ends underneath without creating thick knots.
  3. Transfer to a lined tray and proof covered until noticeably puffy. Look between the strands for expansion rather than relying only on elapsed time.

The baker’s note

An overly tight braid can tear along its seams as it expands.

Practice

Sketch the braid sequence and compare your unproofed and proofed loaf.

Technique lessons may require a separate complete formula. Read the full path before mixing.

LESSON 3 OF 4 · 6 min read

Braid with room to rise

The crossings should be neat without compressing the dough into a tight rope.

Go to guided practice & lesson check

Let’s work through it

  1. Join the strands at one end. Cross the right strand over the middle, then the left over the new middle. Repeat.
  2. Keep the braid relaxed and evenly spaced. Tuck the ends underneath without creating thick knots.
  3. Transfer to a lined tray and proof covered until noticeably puffy. Look between the strands for expansion rather than relying only on elapsed time.

LEARN IT. TRY IT. MAKE IT YOURS.

Your practice bench

Read the whole lesson first, then work at your own pace. Check a step when you’ve practiced or reviewed it.

0 of 3 steps

STEP 1 OF 3

Join the strands at one end. Cross the right strand over the middle, then the left over the new middle. Repeat.

MAKE THE BAKER’S CALL

What should a braid leave room for?

TAKE IT TO YOUR OWN KITCHEN

Your next small experiment

Sketch the braid sequence and compare your unproofed and proofed loaf.

Record what happened in my journal
How do you feel about this skill?

Practice works here. Sign in to save it between visits. Answers are for practice, not a graded certification.

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Make it part of your practice

Sketch the braid sequence and compare your unproofed and proofed loaf.

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YOUR BAKING JOURNAL

Remember what the dough taught you.

Record your temperatures, timing, observations and one thing to try next.

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