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Easy Sourdough Bread Recipe

My grandpa gave me this recipe, which is how you know its a good one! The best sourdough loaves have come from this recipe. Give it a try!

  • Total Time: 8 - 21 hours
  • Yield: 1 Loaf

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

 

  1. 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.

  2. Rest 
    Cover and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.

  3. 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).

  4. 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.

  5. 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)

  6. Preheat Oven
    When your ready to cook, place a dutch oven into the oven and preheat to 450°F (232°C).

  7. 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.

  8. Bake for 35 minutes with the lid on.

    Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until deeply golden.

  9. 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.
  • Author: Sadie
  • Prep Time: 30 - 40 minutes
  • Proof Time: 7 - 20 hours
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
  • Method: Baking