Recipe · Country Loaf · Overnight
65% Hydration Overnight Country Loaf
The pain de campagne approach: not pure white, not aggressively whole-grain, but a balanced mix that bakes into something with depth. Slightly tangier than a plain loaf, slightly sweeter than pure sourdough, and a workhorse for the kitchen.
Total time
14 hours
Active
75 minutes
Hydration
65%
Difficulty
⌬⌬⌬
A 65% dough is what a new baker should start on. The flour-to-water ratio is generous to flour, so the dough behaves predictably, takes shape readily, and bakes into a structured loaf without surprises.
Overnight fermentation is where flavor lives. The dough goes in the refrigerator after a brief room-temperature ferment, the cold slows the yeast and lets enzymes do their work, and the loaf you bake the next day tastes like it cost more than it did.
Ingredients
1000g total dough. Yields 1 country loaf, ~900g baked.
| Ingredient | Grams | Baker's % |
|---|---|---|
| Bread flour | 401 g | 75% |
| Whole wheat flour | 134 g | 25% |
| Water | 348 g | 65% |
| Salt | 10.7 g | 2% |
| Active sourdough starter (100% hydration) | 107 g | 20% |
Schedule
- Day 1, 6:00 PMMix flour and water. Autolyse 30 minutes.
- Day 1, 6:30 PMAdd starter and salt. Mix until combined.
- Day 1, 7:00 PMStretch and fold every 30 minutes for 2 hours.
- Day 1, 9:00 PMBulk ferment 1-2 more hours at room temperature.
- Day 1, 10:30 PMShape into a tight boule, place seam-up in a floured banneton. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Day 2, 7:00 AMPull from the refrigerator. Preheat the oven and Dutch oven to bake temperature.
- Day 2, 8:00 AMScore the loaf. Bake at 475°F covered for 25 minutes, then uncovered for 20 more minutes.
Method tips for this style
Hydrate the whole-grain portion separately for 30 minutes before adding the white flour. The whole grains absorb water more slowly, and pre-soaking them gives a more even final hydration in the dough.
What to expect
Expect a tight, controlled crumb and a robust crust. The loaf slices cleanly and holds together for sandwiches; not the most dramatic interior, but the most reliable.
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