Basic Sourdough Bread Recipe - Food.com (2024)

111

Editors' Pick

Submitted by Donna M.

"Plain white, simple sourdough bread. A great starter recipe to use if you are new to sourdough baking. The dough cycle of the bread machine can be used to prepare the dough, if you like. Prep time does not include proofing time for starter."

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Ready In:
3hrs 50mins

Ingredients:
6
Yields:

1 loaf

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ingredients

  • 2 cups proofed sourdough starter
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 12 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 3 cups white bread flour

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directions

  • Before measuring out your 2 cups of starter culture, it must be proofed: To proof, I usually start with 1 cup of starter and stir into it equal parts of flour and warm water (for this recipe, 1 1/2 cups of each would be more than enough).
  • Let mixture sit, covered loosely, for 8 to 12 hours-- the longer it sits, the sourer the flavor will be.
  • At this point, measure out the 2 cups required for recipe, and return leftover starter to refrigerator for next time.
  • Pour starter into mixing bowl.
  • Melt butter (microwave works well).
  • Add milk to butter and warm briefly (85 degrees F).
  • Add the salt and sugar, stir until dissolved.
  • Add this mixture to the culture and mix well.
  • Add the flour, 1 cup at a time, stirring until the dough is too stiff to mix by hand.
  • Turn onto floured board and knead in the remaining flour until the dough is smooth and satiny.
  • Pat dough into a 1-inch thick oval and form loaf by rolling oval up from the long side, pinching the seam together as you roll the dough, tucking ends to form the loaf.
  • Place in lightly greased loaf pan (I spray with cooking spray), and let rise, covered, at 85 degrees F for 1 1/2 to 3 hours.
  • When the dough rises 1 to 2 inches above the edges of pan, it is ready to bake.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake an additional 30 to 40 minutes (baking time varies according to your oven and your personal taste--some like a darker crustier bread than others).
  • Remove loaf from oven and brush the top lightly with melted butter; turn loaf out of the pan and cool on wire rack.
  • If you prefer, you can shape this into a round or oval loaf and bake on a baking sheet.

Questions & Replies

Basic Sourdough Bread Recipe - Food.com (13)

  1. So if I am reading this bread recipe correctly it only has one rise right? Most bread recipes call for dough to rise the make loaves and rise a second time. So I am reading this correctly only one rise in the pan it is baked in?

    Lindabluebird

  2. Where do I get or start a starter????

    Janet B.

  3. I’m confused by the first paragraph of the Directions. It says Before measuring out your 2 cups of starter culture, it must be proofed: To proof, I usually start with 1 cup of starter and stir into it equal parts of flour and warm water (for this recipe, 1 1/2 cups of each would be more than enough). It says to add equal parts to the 1 cup of starter but then says 1 1/2 is more than enough. Can you clarify please?

    wendyworldly

  4. I'm confused by "proofing". Does this become part of the 2 cups used in making the loaf or is this the replenishment that is poured back into the starter after the 2 cups have been measured out?

    Karen R.

  5. Does it have to be made in a loaf pan? It looks more convenient that the traditional round sourdough loaf, but if I want to make a round loaf, can I just shape it into a ball instead? Also, it looks less full of holes than most sourdough I'm used to, is there a reason for this? Thanks.

    roberta_abbott

see 17 more questions

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Reviews

  1. This makes a fabulous loaf of bread! Easy and simple with wonderful results! I used my bread machine's dough cycle for the kneading. I mixed the melted butter (actually I used margarine), milk, salt and sugar together in a measuring cup and then added to my starter and gently stirred it well. Then I put the flour in my machine and turned it on and then gradually added the liquid. The ratio of liquid to flour is perfect! My dough was elastic and smooth. Then I placed the dough in my glass loaf pan that I had sprayed with Pam and covered it with a clean dish towel to rise. It took about 2 hours to rise about 1 1/2" about the rim of the pan. Then I baked it! There is no better aroma than baking bread! The loaf has a moist spongy center and a crusty outside. Perfect! Thanks, Donna M!

    SaraFish

  2. This is a wonderful recipe. I'd give it six stars if I could. I am a novice at sourdough, and I did the dough in my bread machine and baked it in the oven (ok..I am lazy). It was terrific, very moist and crusty and deleciously sour. Thanks for the recipe. I wlll definitely make it over and over again.

    Jan Marie

  3. A friend gave me some sourdough starter he made from scratch capturing local wild yeast. I've been working with a plain flour and water recipe for weeks without being excited by the bread. I tried this recipe and LOVED the result! Nice sour flavor and soft, chewy bread you can really enjoy! I prepared 4 proofed starter portions. In the pic, the one on the right is per the recipe using bread flour. Middle is recipe but with all purpose flour bcs I ran out of bread flour. On the left is all purpose flour with beer instead of milk! I think I will half the dough next time as I did with the last starter portion which made two nice rounds.

    • Basic Sourdough Bread Recipe - Food.com (22)

    Penguin S.

  4. I am so glad I caught you (or you caught me) online. I would have over-cooked it. 38 minutes and it's done...I got the heel! I couldn't wait for morning. It's beautiful...it's delicious...what else can I say! I know my husband's going to like this one too; it is very mild. Absolutely no yeast added and the texture is gorgeous. I baked it in a clear glass pyrex loaf pan. It has ever the slightest tang of sourdough (used the Red Sea sourdough starter)...ummm ummm ummm! Definitely a winner. Thanks Donna for sharing this!

    Cindy Lynn

  5. EXCELLENT, I don't have a bread machine, but didn't need one...omg, the AROMA that so filled the house, and then that was NOTHING...taste was truly WONDERFUL, Thank you Donna, I loved this and afraid we're now "hooked" on sourdough. But thank-you, nobody is complaining! Now I can't wait to try your other sourdough recipes!

    Teresa M

see 104 more reviews

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Tweaks

  1. I have made this recipe a couple of times a month for the last year. I have tried others but always go back to this one. The only tweak I did was substitute the milk and butter with about 3/4 cup of butter milk. Great recipe! Thanks

    hjewell4363

  2. I’ve had good luck with this recipes as is, but this time I used 2 cups of regular flour and 1 cup of whole wheat flour and the resulting loaf is perfect!

    • Basic Sourdough Bread Recipe - Food.com (27)

    Kevin B.

  3. Didn't change anything.

    Kst8mom

  4. I'm gluten intolerant, so I'm just trying it out and seeing about converting this recipe to gf. I'm using rice flour and a mixture blend gf flour. 1 cup and 3 cups and 2 cups of gf s ourdough starter just like this recipe. I replaced the sugar with about 1/4 a cup of honey. But all the directions are the same. Will post a picture when finished!

    Alison H.

  5. Cool

    aleena w.

see 8 more tweaks

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Donna M.

Billings, Montana

  • 80 Followers
  • 113 Recipes
  • 8 Tweaks

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FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in sourdough bread? ›

The signature sourdough flavor comes from a combination of lactic and acetic acids, created as the dough rises and ferments. Refrigerating the dough encourages the production of more acetic acid, which is the tangier of the two. Thus, this bread with its refrigerated starter has the ideal balance of sour flavor.

What is the secret to good sourdough bread? ›

Top 10 Tips & Tricks for Making Sourdough
  • Use your sourdough starter at its peak. ...
  • Moisten the surface of the dough before baking for more rise. ...
  • Handle with care: be gentle with your dough. ...
  • Use sifted flour to make your sourdough less dense. ...
  • Soak your flour beforehand for a lighter loaf. ...
  • Just add water for softer sourdough.

Is it cheaper to make your own sourdough bread? ›

So if you look solely at the ingredients, it is cheaper to make your own sourdough. But if you bring other factors into it - it might not be as cheap. This post aims to show you how you can bake a classic sourdough loaf with a little work and no fancy equipment.

What ingredients should not be in sourdough bread? ›

The inside of the bread should be bubbly and chewy and the bread should have a slightly tangy taste. Real sourdough bread does not contain additives like oil, milk, corn, and dough conditioners. It is made with whole grains and is generally more expensive than regular bread.

Why do you put vinegar in sourdough bread? ›

There are two main acids produced in a sourdough culture: lactic acid and acetic acid. Acetic acid, or vinegar, is the acid that gives sourdough much of its tang. Giving acetic acid-producing organisms optimal conditions to thrive and multiply will produce a more tangy finished product.

Why do you put honey in sourdough bread? ›

You'll find I use honey in many of my recipes. I love to use it in my no-knead 100% whole wheat sourdough bread because it makes it much softer and less dense than it would be without it. Subbing it in recipes that call for sugar is not usually as simple as a one-to-one sub, though.

What is the best flour for sourdough bread? ›

The best flour blend for creating a new sourdough starter is 50% whole-meal flour (whole wheat or whole rye) and 50% bread flour or all-purpose flour. I recommend a 50/50 mix of whole wheat flour and bread flour. Why do you need to use these two types of flour?

What makes the best sourdough starter? ›

There is no single best ratio, but I've found a ratio of 1:5:5 fed twice daily at 12-hour intervals to produce a sourdough starter that's strong and healthy. This ratio corresponds to 20% ripe starter carryover, 100% water, and 100% flour (a mix of whole grain rye and white flour) at each feeding.

Is bread flour or plain flour better for sourdough? ›

Bakers all over the world insist on using bread flour to create incredible homemade sourdough bread. It's prized for its high protein and gluten content, which typically gives sourdough bread recipes a lofty, high rise.

What makes sourdough bread more flavorful? ›

Longer fermentation

As your dough proofs, the good bacteria eats up sugars and starches in the flour. This decreases the sweet undertone and creates a more sour undertone. The longer you ferment, the more starches and sugars the bacteria eats, and the more sour your bread will be.

What is the best proofing time for sourdough bread? ›

In my experience, the shortest final proof (at room temperature) that I prefer to do is one hour. The longest final proof (at room temperature) is about 3 hours. When going past 2-3 hours in a final proof, the crumb tends to get very gassy and opens up large gas bubbles with a longer countertop proof.

How long does sourdough bread last? ›

I'll share my tips on the best way to store sourdough and a plan on the best way to eat it too. Sourdough bread will keep well for up to 3-5 days at a moderate room temperature of 18-20°C or 64-68°F. The warmer and more humid the conditions become, the more chance the sourdough has of spoiling.

Is store bought sourdough bread as healthy as homemade? ›

Whether you buy sourdough from the store or make your own, it has a pretty impressive nutrition profile. Most sourdough isn't made with whole-grain flour, but if you make it at home you can use whole-wheat flour for your bread.

What are the pros and cons of sourdough bread? ›

Sourdough bread is a great alternative to conventional bread. It's richer in nutrients, less likely to spike your blood sugar, and generally easier to digest. Just remember that sourdough fermentation doesn't degrade gluten completely.

What element makes sourdough bread so special? ›

Sourdough bread also naturally contains varying levels of acetic acid bacteria, a group of bacteria that give sourdough bread its particular vinegar-like aroma. Starters with high levels of acetic acid bacteria also take longer to ferment and rise, giving sourdough bread its characteristic texture ( 5 , 8 ).

What gives sourdough bread its unique flavor? ›

Sourdough bread's signature taste comes from friendly bacteria and yeast, which produce flavorful lactic and acetic acids in rising bread dough.

What makes sourdough taste better? ›

The key taste compounds include salt, which is directly added to the dough, as well as acetic and lactic acid, produced during fermentation. After these experiments, they applied a technique called “unified flavor quantitation,” which was previously developed by Hofmann's team, to the sourdough bread.

What is the active ingredient in sourdough bread? ›

Sourdough is a stable culture of lactic acid bacteria and yeast in a mixture of flour and water. Broadly speaking, the yeast produces gas (carbon dioxide) which leavens the dough, and the lactic acid bacteria produce lactic acid, which contributes flavor in the form of sourness.

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