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Beginner Sourdough Bread

Beginner Sourdough Bread

  • Author: David
  • Total Time: up to 24 hours (including fermentation and proofing)
  • Yield: 1 loaf 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Beginner Sourdough Bread recipe guides you through making a naturally fermented, soft yet crusty loaf using simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for new bakers, it offers step-by-step instructions to develop flavorful, tangy bread with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 150g active sourdough starter
  • 500g all-purpose flour
  • 350ml warm water
  • 10g sea salt

Instructions

  1. Feed Your Sourdough Starter: Begin by feeding your sourdough starter about 4 to 6 hours before baking so it is bubbly and active. Combine equal parts of starter, flour, and warm water to refresh it.
  2. Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine your flour, warm water, and the active sourdough starter. Stir until no dry flour remains. Add sea salt and mix gently to avoid deflating the air pockets forming in the dough.
  3. Autolyse and Rest: Let the dough rest for about 30 minutes. This allows the flour to fully hydrate and encourages gluten development for a chewy texture.
  4. Stretch and Fold: Instead of kneading, perform gentle stretch-and-fold motions every 30 minutes over two hours to strengthen the dough while maintaining its airy structure.
  5. Bulk Fermentation: Cover the dough and leave it at room temperature to ferment for 4 to 6 hours, allowing flavor and volume to develop.
  6. Shape the Loaf: Gently turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a round or oval loaf and place it into a natural gelling agent-lined proofing basket or bowl.
  7. Final Proof: Proof the dough in the refrigerator overnight or for 8 to 12 hours. This slower rise enhances flavor complexity.
  8. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven with a covered baking pot or Dutch oven to trap steam. Bake the loaf covered for 20 minutes, then remove the cover and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the crust is golden and crispy.

Notes

  • Use a bubbly, active starter for best rise and flavor.
  • Keep dough slightly sticky but manageable for soft crumb and open texture.
  • Allow slow fermentation for improved flavor and digestibility.
  • Baking covered traps steam and creates a superior crust.
  • Cool bread fully before slicing to avoid gummy texture.
  • Prep Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: International

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 60g)
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 0.5g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 0.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 1.5g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: sourdough bread,bread baking,natural fermentation,beginner sourdough,crusty bread,homemade bread

Find it online: https://yummyrecipeszone.com/beginner-sourdough-bread/