Urgent Sourdough Question!!!

[artemis33]

So I made up my first 2 loaves of whole wheat sourdough bread yesterday afternoon with the starter I caught and all was going well. I was letting them rise, it was getting late and they hadn't risen enough to bake, I thought....So I decided to leave them overnight. I put them in the oven covered - didn't even leave the light on.

So this morning both loaves have collapsed Are they worthless? Should I still bake them? I mean, I will anyway I guess to see what happens, but what I should have done? Should I have baked them last night anyway? Left them in the refrigerator?


I'm so sad! Please help! can I save these loaves?

Thanks!

[Hibou]

For fallen loaves, I would re-knead, then let them rise an hour or two somewhere warm and bake. I find that with sourdough, it tends to rise a lot in the oven, even if it hasn't risen much when you start baking, it will, so make sure you slash the tops!
Good luck- hope it works out better next time.

[artemis33]

Oh good idea - I'll do that! Thanks!!

I noticed the outside "crust" got a bit dried out. Is that bad? Is is okay to just knead that into the bread? I had oiled it before rising and covered with a dry towel - maybe not enough oil or maybe the towel should be damp?

I added a little water to the outside and am letting that sink in, then I will try re-kneading.