Food - Drink
How A Proofing Basket Can Help You Make Better Bread
By MATTHEW SPINA
Baking a good loaf of bread can be a relaxing activity, but it’s also a scientific process that depends on several factors for success, many of which can go wrong. There are plenty of kitchen tools that can help you create a perfect loaf, but one you may not have heard of is the proofing basket, which deserves your consideration.
Proofing baskets are a type of container that help your bread maintain its shape and structure during its final rise. The basket holds the sides of the bread in and keeps the dough from sinking, and baskets made of rustic materials like rattan or ones lined with smooth fabric can all impact the appearance of your bread's exterior.
Proofing baskets also prevent you from overhandling your dough while shaping it, and once your dough is done rising, just flip the basket over onto a baking stone or peel and slide it right into the oven. Investing in a basket will likely make your breadmaking process go smoother, and you'll be rewarded with a professional-looking loaf.