How To Stencil On Sourdough Bread In 7 Easy Steps
Stencilling on sourdough bread is a wonderful way to add an artistic touch to your homemade loaves. Whether you're preparing a gift for a loved one or simply want to improve your baking skills, stencilling allows you to create visually stunning patterns that make your bread as beautiful as it is delicious. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process—from choosing the right stencil, to applying it perfectly on your dough. With a little practice and creativity, you’ll be able to transform your bread into a beautiful centrepiece that’s sure to impress!
Which Stencil?
When choosing stencils for your bread art, it's important to consider both the design and the material of the stencil. Opt for stencils made from durable materials that can withstand repeated use and are easy to clean. This should save you time and money in the long term.
The size and shape of the stencil should be appropriate for the size and shape of your loaf—to make the best use of the design, the stencil should fit on the surface of your loaf—whether you bake a boule (round bread) or a batard (oval bread). Additionally, consider the pattern itself—stencils with very intricate design may not work well when dusting with flour. Explore different patterns to see what works best for the type of loaves you tend to bake.
Choosing the right stencil not only enhances the appearance of your bread but also ensures that your stenciling process is smooth and enjoyable.
NOTE: If you’re thinking of stencilling on the dough, consider in advance the basket you will be using to proof the dough. Ideally, when stencilling, your dough should have a smooth surface, without any texture—so if you can, avoid bannetons that have ridges or other patterns. If you don’t have baskets that are smooth inside (i.e. you only have rattan baskets), just line the basket with a cloth or a liner.
Additionally, take into consideration the flour you will use to make the bread and whether you use any added ingredients such as seeds, grains or nuts. Stencilling will work best on a plain white or wholegrain sourdough, less so when baking rye bread. Seeds or other added ingredients may distort the surface or break through the crust during baking, potentially damaging the stencilled pattern.
Before You Start
Before stencilling, gather your tools and make sure the dough is ready for baking.
Dough: The dough should be shaped and rested after its final proof. We recommend the dough to be chilled (you can even pop it in the freezer for 15 min). This will ensure it won’t spread or deflate too much while stencilling and scoring.
Flour: If you are planning to dust with flour, use rice flour, which is best to provide a striking contrast after the bread is baked. And you don’t need to stick to flour—try stencilling using cocoa powder or powdered spices!
Sifter: For an even application of the flour (or your other powder of choice), use a sifter. We actually re-purposed our tea strainer for all flour dusting and would recommend the stainless steal mesh twisting ball type with a handle.
Pastry brush: The brush will be handy to remove any excess dry flour from the surface of the dough.
Stencils: Have your stencil(s) ready, consider the shape and size of both the dough and the stencil when choosing the stencil.
Dutch Oven or Baking Stone: Depending on your method, have your Dutch Oven or Baking Stone pre-heated and ready to use.
In the next section we will guide you through the stencilling process step-by-step. The main point here is to have fun and enjoy the experience!
Step-by-Step
STEP 1 | Prepare the Dough
Once the dough is ready for baking, gently flip it onto a work surface lined with parchment paper. Using a pastry brush, remove any excess dry flour from the surface of the dough.
STEP 2 | Position the Stencil
Place the stencil carefully on the surface of the dough. Take your time to position the stencil properly on your dough–ensure that it is centered and lies flat against the dough to avoid smudges or uneven patterns.
STEP 3 | Apply the Flour
Using a sifter, lightly dust the flour over the stencil and the rest of dough. Start with a small amount and build up gradually, ensuring an even coating. Be careful not to overload the stencil with the flour–fine dusting will create a clear, defined pattern without overwhelming the bread's surface.
STEP 4 | Remove the Stencil
Using both hands, gently lift the stencil off the dough, taking care not to disturb the flour.
STEP 5 | Score the Dough
After removing the stencil, score the dough as needed, making sure that at least one of the cuts is a deeper expansion score. The scoring is crucial to control the oven spring and keep your design intact during baking. To ensure your cuts are clean, use a sharp lame.
Use your judgement when scoring—depending on the size of the stencil, you can score around the design or slash through it if you use a stencil that covers the whole dough. You can see an example scoring in the photo below.
STEP 6 | Bake the Bread
Carefully place the dough into your baking dish/stone. To ensure the stencil pattern stays intact, try to keep the dough flat when transferring to the dish/stone. Cover with the lid (if using a dish) and place the dough into the pre-heated oven. Bake according to your recipe's instructions.
NOTE: If you typically add ice cubes to enhance the oven spring, we would not recommend adding them when making a sourdough bread with a stencil pattern. The ice creates extra steam and it will ‘dissolve’ the flour that was dusted on top, resulting in less contrast in the pattern.
STEP 7 | Cool and Admire
Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. Take a moment to admire your beautiful, stencilled loaf before slicing and enjoying!
If you have any questions, leave a comment below.
Happy stencilling! 👩🏻🍳🌾🤍
To see these steps in practice, take a look at our video tutorial!
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Check the store for our unique stencil collection.
