Sourdough Art Valentine Hearts

Create a romantic masterpiece with this Sourdough Art Valentine Hearts recipe. This visually stunning bread features a crisp golden crust and an airy crumb, making it the perfect centerpiece for Valentine's Day or any special occasion. With intricate flour patterns, your loaves will be as beautiful as they are delicious.

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The process of slow fermentation and careful shaping turns simple ingredients into edible art. By following the steps for stretch-and-folds and a long cold proof, you will achieve a professional-quality texture and flavor that celebrates the craft of artisanal sourdough baking.

Ingredients

• Sourdough Starter: 100 g active sourdough starter (fed and bubbly)
• Dough: 350 g bread flour, 50 g whole wheat flour, 280 g water (room temperature), 8 g fine sea salt
• Decoration: Rice flour (for dusting), Optional edible dried flowers or seeds for garnish

Quickly chop vegetables, mince herbs, and blend sauces for faster, everyday meal preparation.

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Instructions

Step 1

In a large bowl, mix the sourdough starter, bread flour, whole wheat flour, and water until combined. Let rest (autolyse) for 30–45 minutes.

Step 2

Add salt. Mix and knead until well incorporated.

Step 3

Perform 3–4 sets of stretch-and-folds, spaced 30 minutes apart, covering the dough with a damp towel between sets.

Step 4

After the final fold, shape the dough into a tight ball. Let rise in a lightly oiled bowl until doubled, 4–6 hours at room temperature.

Step 5

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Shape each piece into a heart: flatten slightly, pinch the base to form a point, and indent the top center.

Step 6

Place each heart-shaped dough into a floured proofing basket or bowl lined with a floured towel. Cover and refrigerate overnight (8–12 hours) for cold proofing.

Step 7

Preheat oven to 240°C (465°F) with a Dutch oven or baking stone inside.

Step 8

Remove dough from the fridge. Invert onto parchment, dust generously with rice flour, and use a razor or sharp blade to score artistic heart patterns.

Step 9

Transfer to hot Dutch oven or baking stone. Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15 minutes until golden and crisp.

Step 10

Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating with optional edible flowers or seeds.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For the best crumb and internal structure, avoid adding too much flour during the shaping process. Using a sharp lame or razor blade is essential for achieving the clean, intricate scoring patterns that make this bread stand out.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For a romantic pink swirl, knead 1 tablespoon of beetroot powder into half the dough before shaping. You can also garnish the exterior with edible dried flowers or seeds for additional texture and visual appeal.

Serviervorschläge

These sourdough hearts are best served with flavored butters or sweet jams, making them a perfect addition to a festive Valentine's Day brunch or as a thoughtful homemade gift.

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Baked with patience and care, these heart-shaped sourdough loaves are as rewarding to make as they are to eat. Whether shared as a gift or enjoyed at your own table, they bring a touch of artisanal magic to your special occasion.

Stir sauces, sauté vegetables, and serve meals gently while adding a charming touch to everyday cooking.

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Recipe FAQs

→ How do I shape the dough into heart forms?

After the final fold, divide the dough and flatten slightly. Pinch the base to form a point and indent the top center to create the heart shape.

→ What is the purpose of cold proofing overnight?

Cold proofing slows fermentation, enhancing flavor complexity and improving dough handling and crumb texture.

→ How are the artistic flour patterns made?

Dust the dough with rice flour before scoring with a sharp blade to create clean, decorative heart designs on the crust.

→ What flours are used in this sourdough blend?

The dough combines bread flour and whole wheat flour, balancing strength and flavor for an airy crumb and crisp crust.

→ Can I add natural coloring to the dough?

Yes, kneading beetroot powder into half the dough before shaping adds a natural pink swirl enhancing the visual appeal.