A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make Sourdough Bread
In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through the process of making your own delicious sourdough bread at home. Don't be intimidated by the idea of working with a sourdough starter; this recipe is designed to be beginner-friendly, allowing you to master the art of sourdough bread recipes with ease. Let's dive in and discover just how simple and rewarding homemade sourdough bread can be.
Ingredients
For the Sourdough Starter:
For the Bread Dough:
Instructions
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Prepare the Sourdough Starter:
In a clean jar, combine 250g water and 150g all-purpose flour.
Stir well to combine, then cover loosely with a lid or cloth.
Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 24 hours, feeding it with equal parts flour and water daily until it becomes bubbly and active.
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Mix the Dough:
In a large bowl, combine 500g bread flour, 10g fine sea salt, 25g olive oil, 100g bubbly sourdough starter, and 250g water.
Mix until the ingredients come together to form a rough dough.
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Autolyse:
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 30 minutes to an hour. This allows the flour to hydrate and the gluten to develop.
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Bulk Rise:
After the autolyse, allow the dough to rise at room temperature until it doubles in size. This can take anywhere from 3 to 12 hours, depending on the temperature of your kitchen and the strength of your starter.
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Shape the Dough:
Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a round loaf.
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Second Rise:
Place the shaped loaves onto a floured surface or proofing basket.
Allow them to rise for an additional 30 minutes to an hour, until puffy.
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Preheat and Score:
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) with a Dutch oven inside.
Score the top of each loaf with a sharp knife or bread lame to allow steam to escape during baking.
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Bake:
Carefully transfer the loaves to the preheated Dutch oven.
Bake with the lid on for 20 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 40 minutes, or until the loaves are golden brown and crusty.
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Cool and Enjoy:
Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for at least an hour before slicing. Enjoy your homemade sourdough bread with your favorite toppings or as a side to your favorite meals.
Note
Experiment with different flours for unique flavors and textures in your sourdough bread.
Adjust the fermentation time based on the temperature of your kitchen to achieve the desired rise.
For added flavor, consider incorporating herbs, spices, or seeds into your sourdough bread dough.
