Beginner’s Sourdough Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup active sourdough starter
• 2 cups bread flour
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough starter and lukewarm water. Stir until well combined.
   • Gradually add the bread flour, stirring continuously until a shaggy dough forms.
   • Let the dough rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This allows the flour to hydrate and the gluten to develop.
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2. Kneading and Adding Salt:

   • After resting, sprinkle the salt over the dough and knead it in until fully incorporated. Knead for about 10-15 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
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3. Bulk Fermentation:

   • Place the dough back into the mixing bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it ferment at room temperature for 4 to 6 hours, or until doubled in size. The exact time will depend on the temperature of your kitchen and the activity of your sourdough starter.
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4. Shaping:

   • Once the dough has doubled in size, gently deflate it and shape it into a round loaf. You can do this by folding the edges of the dough towards the center, creating tension on the surface. Place the shaped loaf onto a lightly floured surface or into a proofing basket lined with a clean kitchen towel, seam side down.
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5. Final Proofing:

   • Cover the shaped loaf with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it proof for another 1 to 2 hours, or until it has visibly expanded and feels airy to the touch.
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6. Preheat Oven:

   • About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven or baking vessel with a lid inside the oven as it preheats.
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7. Baking:

   • Once the oven is preheated, carefully transfer the proofed loaf into the preheated Dutch oven. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife or razor blade to allow for oven spring.
   • Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the lid and continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is deeply golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
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8. Cooling:

   • Once baked, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This allows the crumb to set properly.
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9. Enjoy!

   • Slice and enjoy your homemade sourdough bread with your favorite toppings or as a side to your meals.

Enjoy your freshly baked sourdough bread! If you have any questions, feel free to ask.