Description
A beautifully flaky, layered sourdough loaf filled with gooey Gruyère cheese and savory ham, perfect for family gatherings or cozy evenings.
Ingredients
- For the Levain:
- 6 grams ripe sourdough starter (about 1 teaspoon)
- 60 grams all-purpose or bread flour (about 1/2 cup)
- 60 grams water (about 1/4 cup)
- For the Dough:
- 120 grams ripe levain (about ½ cup)
- 340 grams water (about 1 cup plus 6 Tablespoons)
- 10 grams salt (about 1 1/2 teaspoons)
- 500 grams bread flour (about 3 1/2 cups)
- 113 grams unsalted butter (about 1/2 cup)
- For the Filling:
- 175 grams shredded Gruyère cheese, divided (150 grams for laminating plus 25 grams reserved for sprinkling)
- 150 grams diced ham (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Prepare the levain by mixing the sourdough starter, 60 grams of flour, and 60 grams of water. Let it rest for 10-12 hours.
- In a large bowl, mix the ripe levain with 340 grams of water, 10 grams of salt, and 500 grams of bread flour until a wet, sticky dough forms. Cover and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.
- After resting, perform a series of stretch and folds every 30 minutes over the next 1 ½ hours, incorporating cold butter into the dough.
- Allow the dough to rise for 6-7 hours until it’s about 70% risen, and you see bubbles on the surface.
- Once risen, stretch the dough into a rectangle. Spread 150 grams of shredded Gruyère cheese and the diced ham over the surface. Fold the dough over and roll it up tightly.
- Cover the shaped dough and refrigerate overnight or up to 12-18 hours for cold fermentation.
- Preheat a Dutch oven to 450°F for 20 minutes.
- Score the dough, sprinkle it with the remaining 25 grams of cheese, and transfer to the preheated Dutch oven.
- Bake covered for 25 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes at 425°F until the bread is thoroughly cooked.
- Let the bread cool on a baking rack before slicing.
Notes
Allow ample time for levain development and handle the dough gently during the stretch and fold process. Chilling the shaped dough enhances flavors.
