Baking Sourdough Bread with Starter

Learn how to make delicious sourdough bread using an existing starter. Follow these easy steps and get ready to enjoy your homemade bread with a crispy crust and soft, chewy interior. Perfect for any meal or snack.

• 100 gactive sourdough starter
• 500 gbread flour
• 300 mlwater
• 10 gsalt

• 1. Feed the Sourdough Starter

  Take your existing sourdough starter and feed it with equal parts of flour and water. Let it sit for 4-6 hours until it becomes active and bubbly.

• 2. Mix the Dough

  In a large bowl, combine the active starter with flour, water, and salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

• 3. Autolyse the Dough

  Let the mixed dough rest for about 30 minutes. This helps the flour absorb water and improves the dough’s consistency.

• 4. Knead the Dough

  Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes. You can use the stretch and fold method to develop gluten.

• 5. First Rise (Bulk Fermentation)

  Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it. Let it rise at room temperature for 4-5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

• 6. Shape the Dough

  Gently deflate the dough and shape it into a round or oval loaf. Ensure the surface is smooth and taut.

• 7. Final Rise (Proofing)

  Place the shaped dough into a floured proofing basket. Cover it and let it rise for 2-3 hours or refrigerate it overnight for better flavor development.

• 8. Preheat the Oven

  Preheat your oven to 240°C with a baking stone or Dutch oven inside to create steam during baking.

• 9. Score the Dough

  Carefully transfer the proofed dough onto parchment paper or a floured peel. Use a sharp knife to make slashes on the surface of the dough to control expansion.

• 10. Bake the Bread

  Transfer the dough into the preheated oven. Bake at 240°C for 20 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 220°C and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

• 11. Cool and Serve

  Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Slice and enjoy your homemade sourdough bread.