Ever wonder why some bakers consistently get stunning bread ears, while others don’t? The secret is simple — those perfect loaves come from knowing a few key techniques that make all the difference. Today, we’re sharing those tips with you.
Preparing the Dough
A perfect ear starts long before you make the cut — it begins with the dough itself. Your sourdough starter must be active and ready to work, bubbling and doubling in volume. (You can read more about checking starter readiness in our other articles.)
Baking Sourdough with an Ear: Step-by-Step
1. Use High-Quality Flour
Choose strong flour with a high gluten content. This provides the structure your dough needs for a strong rise. Whenever possible, use flour you’re already familiar with — that way, you can trust the results.
2. Leave Room for Oven Spring
Your dough should be 80–90% proofed before baking. This ensures there’s still enough “energy” left for it to expand in the oven. Overproofed dough will spread instead of rising, and your ear won’t form.
3. Shape with Tension
When shaping, create maximum surface tension on the dough. This helps the score open beautifully in the oven. We teach several professional shaping techniques in our sourdough bread course.
Tip: Shallow, vertical, or too-small cuts will limit the ear’s rise. Oval loaves often produce a more dramatic ear than round ones.
4. Keep It Cold
Before baking, keep the dough chilled — and only score it when it’s cold. Cold dough cuts cleanly, allowing the ear to open up sharply. Warm dough tends to stretch, causing the cut to “melt” during baking.
5. Master the Score
Hold your blade at about a 45° angle, not straight down. Cut from one end of the loaf to the other in a single confident motion. Immediately place the loaf into a fully preheated oven at 250 °C (480 °F).
And remember — a sharp blade is essential! Change it often for the best results.
Want More Secrets for Perfect Bread?
Join the Maru Expert Online Bread Baking Courses and learn every detail from professional bakers. Practice is the key to mastery — and with our guidance, you’ll soon be baking bread that delights you and everyone around you.
