Description
A naturally fermented artisan sourdough loaf with a crisp golden crust and a moist, chewy interior. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying with olive oil.
Ingredients
1 cup (240g) active sourdough starter
1 1/2 cups (360g) warm water
4 cups (480g) bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Optional: extra flour for dusting
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the sourdough starter and warm water until well combined.
- Add the bread flour and salt, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Perform 4 sets of stretch-and-folds every 30 minutes over the next 2 hours, keeping the dough covered with a damp towel between sets.
- After the last fold, cover the bowl and let the dough rise at room temperature for 4–6 hours or until doubled in size.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, shape into a round loaf, and place seam-side up into a floured proofing basket or bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight (up to 16 hours) for a slow, cold fermentation.
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) with a Dutch oven inside for 30–45 minutes.
- Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven, gently invert the dough onto parchment paper, and score the top with a sharp knife or lame.
- Transfer the dough into the Dutch oven using the parchment paper, cover, and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the lid and continue baking for another 20–25 minutes, until the crust is a deep golden brown.
- Let the loaf cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
Ensure your starter is active and bubbly before using.
Cold fermentation enhances flavor and texture.
Scoring the dough helps control expansion during baking.
Use a sharp blade or lame for clean scoring lines.
Cool the bread completely to avoid a gummy interior when slicing.
- Prep Time: 12 hours
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Artisan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
