Ingredients
-
600 g flour
-
400 g water
-
200 g active sourdough starter
-
5 g salt (optional)
- add-ins: cheese, jalapeños, cinnamon and sugar, sun-dried tomatoes, etc. (optional)
Instructions
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Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together the water and active sourdough starter until fully incorporated. Add the flour and mix, with hands, until a shaggy dough forms. -
Rest
Cover and let the dough rest for 30 minutes. -
Add Salt & Stretch and Folds
Sprinkle the salt over the dough and perform your first set of stretch and folds.
Continue with 3 more sets of stretch and folds, spaced 30 minutes apart (4 sets total over the course of 2 hours). -
Bulk Ferment
After the final stretch and fold, cover and allow the dough to bulk ferment at room temperature for 6–8 hours, or until doubled in size. -
Shape & Cold Proof
Shape the dough into a loaf (see video here). This is where you will add any add-ins you are wanting. Place it into a proofing basket and cover with a towel.
Transfer to the refrigerator and cold proof for 1–12 hours. (Overnight is what I do) -
Preheat Oven
When your ready to cook, place a dutch oven into the oven and preheat to 450°F (232°C). -
Bake
Once heated, carefully remove the dutch oven.
Place the loaf onto parchment paper, score the top, and transfer it into the dutch oven. Add a few ice cubes along the sides (behind the parchment so it’s not touching your loaf) for steam and cover with the lid. -
Bake for 35 minutes with the lid on.
Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until deeply golden.
-
Cool
Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and allow it to cool for an hour before slicing.
Notes
- When adding the salt, I like to add a splash of water to help incorporate the salt and add some more liquid if I feel like the dough is really rough.
- If your bread gets a dry crust during your cold proof, try laying a damp paper towel over the top to prevent drying.
- Sprinkle oats onto the bottom on the dutch oven when it come out of the oven to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 30 - 40 minutes
- Proof Time: 7 - 20 hours
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Baking