Learn how to make your own delicious basic sourdough bread at home with this easy-to-follow recipe. This classic recipe yields a crusty, tangy, and chewy bread with a soft and fluffy interior. The long fermentation process enhances the flavor and texture of the bread, making it a staple in any bread lover's kitchen. Enjoy the satisfaction of baking your own sourdough bread from scratch and impress your family and friends with your baking skills.
Ingredients
- 500g bread flour
- 350ml water
- 200g active sourdough starter
- 10g salt
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, water, and sourdough starter. Mix well until you have a sticky dough. Cover the bowl with a cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, sprinkle the salt over the dough and mix it in using your hands or a dough scraper. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough back into the bowl and cover it. Let it ferment at room temperature for 4-6 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This slow fermentation process develops the flavors in the bread.
- Once the dough has risen, transfer it onto a lightly floured surface. Gently shape it into a round loaf by folding the edges towards the center, creating tension on the surface of the loaf.
- Place the shaped loaf onto a floured proofing basket or a lined bowl, seam side up. Cover it with a cloth and let it proof for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator. This second fermentation further enhances the flavor and structure of the bread.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven or a baking stone in the oven to preheat as well.
- Carefully remove the proofed dough from the refrigerator. Invert the dough onto a piece of parchment paper. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife to create decorative slashes.
- Transfer the dough, along with the parchment paper, into the preheated Dutch oven or onto the baking stone. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid or use an oven-safe pot as a cover.
- Bake the bread for 30 minutes with the lid on. This helps trap steam and creates a crusty exterior. Remove the lid and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.
- Once the bread is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing. This allows the bread to set and finishes the baking process.
- Serve your homemade basic sourdough bread with your favorite spreads, such as butter or jam, or use it for sandwiches and toast. Enjoy!
