Temperature × recipe
Sourdough Challah at 68–72°F
Adjusted timing: 2.7h bulk + 4.1h proof (multiplier 1.35×).
- Baseline bulk (76°F)
- 2h
- Adjusted bulk
- 2.7h
- Baseline proof
- 3h
- Adjusted proof
- 4.1h
- Multiplier
- 1.35×
- Activity
- moderate
- Target hydration
- 55%
- Bake temp
- 350°F
Why the timing shifts
Most home kitchens — typical year-round room temperature. Ferment slightly longer than 76°F baseline. Recipe times generally work as written with minor extensions (+20%). Good balance of schedule manageability and flavor development. Most Hamelman and Tartine formulas are written assuming this range.
Technique for Sourdough Challah
Stand mixer: combine flour, eggs, water, oil, sugar, levain, salt. Knead 8 min on medium. 2h bulk at 76°F with 2 folds. Divide into strands (3/4/6), braid. Proof 3h at 76°F. Egg wash, optionally top with sesame or poppy. Bake 350°F for 30 min until internal 190°F.
Calculator pre-set to these values
- Multiplier at 70°F
- 1.35×
- Adjusted bulk ferment
- 2.7 h
- Adjusted final proof
- 4.1 h
How the math works
Multipliers are piecewise-linear interpolations between reference points measured by Myhrvold et al. in Modernist Bread vol 3. 76°F is the baseline (1.0×); every 10°F drop roughly doubles fermentation time, and every 10°F rise roughly halves it.