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Sourdough Bread: A Beginner’s Guide

Sourdough Bread: A Beginner’s Guide

Learn how to make Sourdough Bread at home with this beginner-friendly guide and simple ingredients.
Prep Time 13 hours
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 6 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Course bread
Cuisine American
Servings 1 loaf
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • Digital scale
  • large bowl
  • Dutch oven
  • Proofing basket

Ingredients
  

  • 150 g active sourdough starter
  • 250 g warm water Can increase to 300-325g for softer dough
  • 25 g olive oil Signature addition for texture
  • 500 g bread flour Not all-purpose flour
  • 10 g fine sea salt
  • fine ground cornmeal or non-stick parchment paper For preventing sticking

Instructions
 

Make The Dough

  • In a large bowl, add the sourdough starter, water, and olive oil. Mix with a fork to combine. Add the flour and salt. Continue mixing until the dough becomes stiff.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let rest for 30-60 minutes.
  • After resting, work the dough into a rough ball for about 15 seconds.

Bulk Rise

  • Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot for 3-12 hours, until it almost doubles in size.
  • Optionally perform stretch & folds to strengthen the dough.

Shape The Dough

  • Remove the dough from the bowl onto a floured surface. Fold over the top of the dough towards the center, then rotate and repeat until shaped.
  • Place dough seam side down and rotate for a tight ball.

Second Rise

  • Let the dough rise for about 30 minutes to 1 hour in a Dutch oven or proofing basket, depending on water content.
  • Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) towards the end of the second rise.

Score The Dough

  • Make a shallow slash in the center of the dough with a knife right before baking.

Bake The Dough

  • Place the bread in the oven with a lid on and reduce the temperature to 400°F (204°C). Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 40 minutes until golden brown.
  • The internal temperature should reach 205-210°F (96-98°C). Cool on a wire rack for at least an hour before slicing.

Notes

Use a digital scale for best results and note that rising times can vary based on temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1loafCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 8gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 400mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 3gCalcium: 1mgIron: 10mg
Keyword Artisan Bread, Beginner Sourdough, homemade bread, Sourdough Bread, Vegan Bread
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