This post has been a long time coming! I’ve spent countless hours in the kitchen perfecting my sourdough bread process, and I’m thrilled to finally share it with you. This sourdough bread recipe is ideal if you’re looking to make delicious, homemade sourdough bread that’s golden, airy, and crusty without the super-dark bake most recipes call for. So grab your starter, or if you don’t have one yet, check out my tutorial HERE to get started. This is just the beginning of my sourdough series—I’ll be sharing tips, flavors, scoring ideas, and more.
What Makes This Sourdough Recipe GOLD?
My favorite choice for an impressive sourdough loaf that has a buttery golden light crunch and airy softness inside. I cook it low and slow to avoid that dark bake, making it perfect for sandwiches, toast with butter and raspberry jam, grilled cheese, and even French toast! Stale bread? Don’t toss it! I love using it for homemade croutons that elevate any salad or soup.
This sourdough bread has a buttery golden light crunch and airy softness inside. I cook it low and slow to avoid that dark bake, making it perfect for sandwiches, toast with butter and raspberry jam, grilled cheese, and even French toast! Stale sourdough bread? Don’t toss it! I love using it for homemade croutons that elevate any salad or soup.
Pro Tip: If you’re new to sourdough or still feeling a little intimidated by the process, keep reading. This recipe is incredibly simple, and I’ve included step-by-step instructions to make sure you succeed.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
When making sourdough bread, the process can be incredibly rewarding and the results are always satisfying.
Simple Ingredients: No need to stock up on anything special—just a few basics!
Sourdough bread is easier to digest and packed with good-for-you bacteria, making it a nutritious choice.
Beginner-Friendly: Clear instructions guide you through every step.
Healthy & Nutritious: Sourdough is easier to digest and packed with good-for-you bacteria.
Customizable Flavor: Tweak the flavor with different fermentation times, herbs, or flours.
Cost-Effective: Save money by making artisan-quality bread at home.
Satisfying to Make: Nothing beats the joy of homemade bread. My Sourdough Journey
Picture yourself enjoying a warm slice of sourdough bread, fresh out of the oven, with your favorite topping.
Let’s dive deeper into the beauty of sourdough bread and its rich history.
Once you have your active sourdough starter, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create your own sourdough bread.
I first got into sourdough when I realized how overpriced, and underwhelming store-bought bread can be. Now, sourdough baking is one of my favorite things to do, and it’s become a bit of an obsession! I went from Googling every step to experimenting with techniques, scoring patterns, and variations. It’s fun looking back at my progress—these days, my For You page is filled with bread inspiration!
Want to join the sourdough life? Keep practicing, be patient, and don’t be afraid to experiment. You’ll find your rhythm, and each loaf will only get better.
Getting Started with Your Starter
If you have an active starter, you’re ready to go! If not, grab one from a friend, a bakery, or find one here. A quick note about starters: many instructions make them seem more complex than they are. Feed your starter with equal parts flour and water, or adapt to what works best for you. I’ll cover all the starter basics in my separate starter tutorial, so check it out if you’re just getting started.
Ingredients:
1 cup active sourdough starter
3 cups all-purpose or bread flour
Sourdough bread making is a craft that beautifully combines art and science.
1½ cups water
1½ tsp salt
Instructions:
As the aroma of your sourdough bread fills the kitchen, you’ll know you’ve created something special.
Join the sourdough bread community and share your experiences with this delightful process!
Feed Starter: Start with an active starter (check my starter guide for help if needed).
Mix Dough: Combine starter, flour, and water in a large bowl. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
Add Salt & Fold: Add salt, then stretch and fold dough until smooth.
Bulk Ferment: Cover and let dough rise at room temperature for 4–6 hours, until it doubles in size.
Shape & Rest: Shape into a loaf, place in a proofing basket, cover, and rest overnight in the fridge.
Preheat & Score: Preheat oven to 450°F. Carefully score the top of the loaf.
Bake: Bake for 30 minutes covered, then 20 minutes uncovered until golden brown.
Cool: Let it cool before slicing. Enjoy your perfect, golden sourdough!
Let me know how your bread turns out! I’d love to see photos of your creations, and don’t forget to tag me on social media! I’ll be sharing more recipes and tutorials to help you become a sourdough pro.
Still have questions click here to find out if sourdough bread is healthy
