Sourdough Bread | Our Simple Versatile Sourdough Bread Recipe - Cultures For Health (2024)

INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR YOUR SOURDOUGH BREAD RECIPE WITH STARTER:

• 2 1/3 cupsfresh sourdough starter
• 3 1/3 cup flour
• 1-1 1/2 cup water
• Scant Tbsp. salt

Sourdough bread has been praised for its health benefits as compared to standard bread. It's packed with prebiotics that are good for your gut health, and its slow fermentation process gives the bread a lower glycemic index. If you're interested in learning more about the health benefits of sourdough bread, you can check out our article on The Health Benefits of Fermented Foods.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOURDOUGH BREAD RECIPE:

1. Mixsourdough starter, flour, and salt together. Use enough water to make bread dough. A moist dough is preferable to a dry dough. Because of difference in hydration and humidity, it's difficult to give and exact amount of water to use, but as you make a few loaves, you'll get a feel for when the sourdough feels ready to work with.
2. Kneaddough until it passes the “window pane test”: a small piece of dough will stretch between four fingers without breaking thin enough to allow light to pass through. This can be done via a whole bunch of methods, both by hand and with a stand mixer. One common method for kneading sourdough bread is to grab the dough, pull it and fold it over, rotate the sourdough 90 degrees and do it again. Repeating this folding will help build the gluten strands that will produce the light and airy structure as the dough rises.
3. Shapethe dough into a loaf.Placein a pan or proofing basket, or on a board. Rub a little oil on the top surface of the dough andcoverlightly with a towel or plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise for4-24 hours. If desired, a short (4-12 hours) proofing period can be used and the dough can be punched down, reshaped, and allowed to rise a second time, but a second proofing period is not required.
4. Slicean X shape in the top of the loaf with a very sharp knife or razor blade. As the bread bakes, the air inside will expand, giving the sourdough some additional loft. However, that expansion can split the bread. By using a razor to provide a place for that expansion, we can minimize the risk of the bread doing something unexpected as it cooks.
5. Bake at 400°Funtil the internal temperature reaches210°F. (Use a meat thermometer inserted into the bottom or side of the loaf.)Bake 30-60 minutes(depending on loaf size).Coolbefore slicing. Yes, let it cool before slicing. I know, everyone wants fresh, warm sourdough, but the bread will be better if you let it cool first!

TWEAK YOUR SOURDOUGH BREAD RECIPE

Now that you've made a loaf, one thing you'll notice is that this recipe is more of an outline than an exact recipe. If you use more water and make a wetter dough, you'll get a little different texture. If you let it proof longer, that sour flavor will intensify. Cooking in a dutch oven will result is a thicker crust. And there are a dozen other tweaks you can make to make the sourdough recipe your own.

START MAKING EASY SOURDOUGH BREAD

Now that you have the best basic sourdough bread recipe, it’s time to start making some at home, and Cultures for Health is here to supply you with everything you need. We have thelargest selection of fermentation and culture productsand even haveall of the tools you’ll needin making homemade sourdough breadand get oursourdough cultures for sale .

Check out our sourdough ebook, full of recipes and tips to take your sourdough baking to the next level today!

For beginners, the best option for making sourdough bread at home is our amazingArtisan Sourdough Kit. Thisstarter kitcomes with everything you need to start making sourdough bread at home including:

• 1 x San Francisco Style Sourdough Starter
• 1 x Bread Lame (Scorer)
• 1 x Baker’s Scale
• 1 x Steel Dough Scraper
• 1 x Butter Muslin

On top of all of that, this kit comes with multiple recipe cards to try other ways to make sourdough bread at home.

Click here to check out our Artisan Sourdough Kit now!

Do you want to start making your delicious Sourdough bread at home? Download our Sourdough Guide and Recipe Book today!

Sourdough Success

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you bake, the better your loaves will become. So, don't be afraid to dive into the world of sourdough and try out our easy sourdough bread recipe. The delicious, tangy results will surely be worth it.

One common question among new sourdough bakers is "How long should I let my dough ferment?" The answer can vary, but a good rule of thumb is to let your dough ferment at room temperature for 12-15 hours. This time allows the yeast and bacteria in the starter to fully ferment the dough, creating the distinct sourdough flavor.

Ready to Learn More?

• Sourdough Expert Advice Articles, How-to Videos and Recipes
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