Name: Beginner's Sourdough Bread Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: PT-484665H7M42S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 475 grams all-purpose flour (3 1/2 cups); 100 grams starter, active and bubbly (1/2 cup); 325 grams water (1 1/3 cups); 10 grams salt (2 teaspoons)

Description

This simple sourdough bread recipe is perfect for beginners! With a few basic ingredients, you’ll create a tangy, delicious loaf with a soft crumb and chewy crust. Great for those starting their sourdough journey!

Ingredients

Scale

475 grams all-purpose flour (3 1/2 cups)
100 grams starter, active and bubbly (1/2 cup)
325 grams water (1 1/3 cups)
10 grams salt (2 teaspoons)

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Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
Add the active sourdough starter and water to the flour mixture. Stir until the dough starts to come together.
Once the dough has formed, knead it for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, but avoid adding too much.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rest for about 30 minutes (this is called the autolyse process).
After resting, stretch and fold the dough over itself a few times to build strength.
Let the dough rise at room temperature for 4-6 hours or until doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and shape it into a round or oval loaf.
Place the shaped dough onto a floured surface, cover it, and let it rest for another 1-2 hours for the final rise.
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) with a Dutch oven or baking stone inside.
When the dough is ready, carefully transfer it to the preheated Dutch oven or stone. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife to help it expand during baking.
Bake for 20 minutes with the lid on (or under a bowl if using a stone), then remove the lid and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until the bread has a golden-brown crust.
Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

For the best results, use an active, bubbly sourdough starter. If your starter isn’t ready, your bread may not rise as well.
The dough can be a little sticky, so be patient and try not to add too much extra flour while kneading.
If you don’t have a Dutch oven, you can bake the bread on a baking stone and create steam by placing a pan of water in the oven.

Prep Time: 20 minutes (not including starter preparation time)
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American