What is slashing in baking terms?

It serves several purposes:

- Controlling Oven Spring: Slashing the dough allows for proper expansion during baking. As the dough rises in the oven, the cuts guide where it will split open, preventing it from bursting unevenly.

- Enhancing Crust: The slashes create additional surface area, enhancing browning and crust formation. The exposed dough during baking develops a crispier texture and a darker golden-brown color.

- Decorative Patterns: Slashing can also be used to create decorative patterns on the surface of the bread, adding an artistic touch to the finished loaf. Bakers often use specific patterns to identify different bread varieties or to simply make their creations more visually appealing.