What Is Preshape Sourdough?

Prehaping is the step in the baking process after bulk fermentation and division, where you loosely gather up each piece of dough into a form that will help facilitate final shaping. ... Developing a smooth surface when preshaping a 900g piece of sourdough bread dough.

Why do you pre shape sourdough?

Pre-shaping is more relevant to loaves than flat breads, the process helps to encourage the dough into what will be its final shape eg. boule, batard, or baguette. The resting time between the pre-shaping and final shaping helps to relax the dough making final shaping easier.

Is Preshaping necessary?

While preshaping is not strictly mandatory, it does provide an opportunity to check in with your dough, to assess its strength and fermentation activity. It sets the stage for a more streamlined shaping step.