Drawn to its outside size
For an oval loaf, with the maker's dough range
King Arthur Baking Oval Brotform & Liner SetAn oval brotform and liner that King Arthur rates for up to 3 lb of dough.
Up to 3 lb (1,361 g) of dough10 × 7.25 in outside
Auf Deutsch · En français · En español
Cold proofing sourdough overnight
Cold proofing means putting the shaped loaf in the fridge, covered, at 40°F (4°C) or below for its final rise, usually 8 to 16 hours. It fits baking into your day, deepens the flavour, and gives a firm loaf that scores cleanly. Bake it straight from the fridge.
How long: 8 to 16 hours is typical; King Arthur advises no longer than 24 for a shaped loaf. Cover: a shower cap or bag over the basket. Bake: straight from the fridge into a fully preheated pot.
How to do it
The timeline planner works back from your bake time to when the loaf goes in the fridge.
- Shape the loaf and put it seam up in a floured basket.
- Cover it so the surface does not dry out.
- Refrigerate at 40°F or below, on a shelf with about 5 in of headroom.
- Next day, preheat the oven and pot; turn the cold loaf out, score and bake.
How long is too long
Fermentation slows in the fridge but does not stop. A loaf that went in after a long, warm bulk fermentation, or a fridge warmer than about 40°F, can over-proof overnight. If loaves come out flat and sour, shorten bulk or put them in the fridge sooner; check with the poke test, remembering cold dough springs back more slowly.
Why bakers like it
Flavour: longer, cooler fermentation builds more acidity. Handling: a cold, firm loaf holds its shape on the peel and scores cleanly. Time: you shape in the evening and bake in the morning.
Questions bakers ask
How long can sourdough proof in the fridge?
8 to 16 hours suits most loaves. King Arthur has kept shaped loaves in the fridge for up to 24 hours and advises no longer; its 48-hour rests are for unshaped dough in bulk.
Do I need to warm the dough before baking?
No. Bake straight from the fridge into a fully preheated pot or steel.
Equipment for this job
Keep what you own when it does the job. These are the other exact models we profile.
Drawn to its outside size
Drawn to its outside size
For heating and cooling dough containers
Brod & Taylor Proofer ProA countertop appliance controls temperature in both directions and supports remote settings.
41 to 122°F, heats and cools22 × 22 in outside