Sourdough Bread

You won’t believe how easy it is to make Sourdough Bread at home. This beginner-friendly sourdough recipe does not require kneading and has straightforward and clear steps. Perfectly crusty on the outside and tender on the inside, you will love this chewy loaf bursting with rich, deep flavor. This is my favorite bread and making at at home is so fun! You'll love having this fresh from the oven, it has a wonderful crisp crust and soft chewy interior. I give you an overview of making your own starter in the video, if you want a full step-by-step there's a link in the blog post below.

Making sourdough bread is a delightful process that involves fermenting a mixture of flour and water with naturally occurring wild yeast and bacteria.

Ingredients:

For the Sourdough Starter:

1. 1 cup all-purpose flour
2. 1/2 cup lukewarm water

For the Bread:

1. 1 cup active sourdough starter
2. 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
3. 4 cups bread flour
4. 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Instructions:

1. Creating the Sourdough Starter:

a. In a clean glass or plastic container, mix the flour and water until well combined.

b. Cover the container loosely with a lid or cloth and let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours.

c. After 24 hours, discard half of the starter and add equal parts flour and water, stirring well. Repeat this process daily for about 5-7 days, or until the starter is bubbly and has a pleasant sour smell.

2. Making the Sourdough Bread:

a. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of active sourdough starter with lukewarm water. Mix well.

b. Add the bread flour and salt to the bowl. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.

c. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.

d. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise at room temperature for 4-6 hours, or until it doubles in size.

e. Punch down the risen dough and shape it into a round loaf.

f. Place the shaped dough in a floured proofing basket or bowl, cover it, and let it rise for another 4-6 hours, or until it doubles in size again.

g. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). If you have a Dutch oven, place it in the oven to preheat as well.

h. Once the oven is preheated, carefully transfer the dough to the hot Dutch oven or onto a baking sheet.

i. Bake for 25-30 minutes with the lid on (if using a Dutch oven), then remove the lid and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

j. Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Enjoy your homemade sourdough bread! Feel free to experiment with different flours or add-ins like seeds, nuts, or dried fruits to customize the flavor and texture.