Sourdough bread is a magical bread. For thousands of years, people have been making it with only natural ingredients and a bit of time. The fermentation process that gives it its name also gives it a distinctive flavor and texture. You can enjoy it in many ways, from a simple slice with butter to a hearty sandwich or a decadent toast.
But sourdough bread is not only delicious, it’s also good for you. It’s easier to digest than regular bread, because the sourdough starter breaks down some of the gluten and starch in the flour. It also has more nutrients, such as B vitamins, iron, and antioxidants, because the sourdough starter activates the enzymes in the flour. And it has a lower glycemic index than regular bread, because the sourdough starter lowers the pH of the dough and slows down the absorption of sugar.
You don’t have to go to a bakery or a fancy restaurant to experience the magic of sourdough bread. You can make your own sourdough bread at home, with just a few ingredients and some patience. It may seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it rewarding and fun. And you’ll be able to enjoy fresh and homemade bread anytime you want.
In this article, I’ll show you how to make sourdough bread at home, step by step. You’ll need an active sourdough starter, which is a mixture of flour and water that contains wild yeast and bacteria. You can make your own sourdough starter from scratch, or you can get some from a friend or a local bakery. You’ll also need flour, water, salt, honey, oil, and cornmeal. That’s it!
The whole process takes about 15 hours, but most of it is hands-off time. You’ll only need to spend about 40 minutes of active time to mix, knead, shape, and bake your bread. The rest of the time is for letting the dough rise and proof. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.
So grab your ingredients and follow along. You’ll be amazed by what you can create with your own hands. Let’s get started!
Steps
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1
Done
10 min
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Mixing the doughIn a large bowl, whisk together the sourdough starter and the warm water until well combined. Add the flour, salt, honey and oil and stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking. The dough should be smooth, elastic and slightly sticky. |
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2
Done
720 min
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Rising the doughShape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let it rise at room temperature for about 12 hours, or until doubled in size. You can also refrigerate the dough overnight and let it come to room temperature in the morning. |
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3
Done
120 min
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Shaping and proofing the doughPunch down the dough and divide it into two equal pieces. Shape each piece into a round loaf and place them on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let them proof for about 2 hours, or until puffy and slightly risen. |
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4
Done
30 min
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Baking the breadPreheat the oven to 375°F and place a shallow pan of water on the lower rack. Slash the tops of the loaves with a sharp knife or a razor blade, making a few cuts about half an inch deep. Bake the bread for about 30 minutes, or until golden and hollow sounding when tapped. Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let it cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your homemade sourdough bread! 🍞 |
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This recipe has become a family favorite. We all love it.