Homemade Sourdough Bread Made Simple with Easy Step by Step Instructions

Why You’ll Love This Artisan Sourdough Bread

If you’re diving into bread making, this artisan sourdough bread is a great place to start. It’s simple and rewarding, perfect for home cooks who want tasty results without too much fuss. You’ll enjoy how easy it is to get a crusty loaf that feels like a professional bake.

One big plus is its ease of preparation. This artisan sourdough bread recipe simplifies the process with straightforward steps and a relatively quick cooking time, making it accessible even for beginners wanting a delicious homemade loaf. Beyond that, it’s full of health benefits like natural probiotics that help your gut feel better. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients from whole grains for everyday wellness.

Don’t forget its versatility. You can tweak this artisan sourdough bread to fit different diets, such as using gluten-free flours or keeping it vegan. That means everyone from busy parents to health-focused folks can enjoy it. Finally, the taste stands out with a tangy flavor from fermentation that makes every bite special and memorable.

Essential Ingredients for Artisan Sourdough Bread

Getting the right ingredients is key to making great artisan sourdough bread. Let’s break down what you need to create that perfect loaf. We’ll start with the main ones and then cover options for special diets.

Main Ingredients

• 50 to 100 grams active sourdough starter
• 375 grams warm water (about 1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon)
• 500 grams bread flour (about 4 cups plus 2 tablespoons)
• 9 to 12 grams fine sea salt (1.5 to 2.5 teaspoons)

These items form the base of your artisan sourdough bread. The sourdough starter brings in natural yeasts for that rise and flavor, while water helps mix everything together. Bread flour gives the dough its structure, and salt adds taste and helps control how it ferments.

Special Dietary Options

For those with specific needs, you can make changes to this artisan sourdough bread. If you’re vegan, stick with a plant-based starter and avoid any animal products. For gluten-free versions, swap in a gluten-free flour blend to keep things light and airy.

Here’s a quick table to compare some options:

This setup keeps your artisan sourdough bread flexible for all kinds of eaters.

How to Prepare the Perfect Artisan Sourdough Bread: Step-by-Step Guide

Making artisan sourdough bread at home is fun and straightforward once you know the steps. Start by getting your sourdough starter ready the day before so it’s bubbly and active. This sets the stage for a great rise and flavor in your bread.

First, mix the starter with warm water in a large bowl. Add the bread flour and salt to form a rough dough, then cover it and let it rest for 30 minutes. This rest, called autolyse, helps the flour absorb water and makes the dough easier to work with.

The Mixing and Folding Process

Next, do a series of stretches and folds. Pull a corner of the dough into the center and repeat 4 to 5 times, then let it rest for another 30 minutes. Keep this up for up to four rounds over two hours to build strength in the dough.

After that, cover the bowl and let the dough bulk ferment at room temperature. It should grow by about 50 percent, which takes 6 to 10 hours based on your kitchen’s warmth and how strong your starter is. Using a straight-sided container makes it easy to see this change.

Shaping and Baking

Once fermented, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape it into a round. Let it rest seam side up for 20 to 40 minutes. Then shape it again and put it in a proofing bowl lined with a towel, cover it, and chill in the fridge for 12 to 48 hours. This cold proofing step, ideally at least 24 hours, gives you a lighter crumb and better taste. For more on proofing techniques, check our guide to sourdough tips.

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 550 degrees Fahrenheit with a Dutch oven inside. Take the dough from the fridge, put it on parchment paper, and score the top. Bake it covered at 450 degrees for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake at 400 degrees for another 10 to 15 minutes. If you want an extra crispy crust, leave it on the oven rack for 5 to 10 more minutes. Let it cool on a wire rack for at least one hour before slicing to get the best texture. The total time is about 18 hours and 45 minutes, with just 25 to 30 minutes of hands-on work.

This artisan sourdough bread is all about patience and simple steps that lead to amazing results. If your dough feels too sticky, don’t worry just hold back some water next time for better handling.

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Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Artisan Sourdough Bread

Making artisan sourdough bread your own is easy with a few tweaks. You can adjust for dietary needs while keeping that delicious taste and texture. Let’s look at some simple swaps to fit different lifestyles.

For protein and main components, replace bread flour with gluten-free options like rice or sorghum flour if you need to avoid gluten. Use a plant-based sourdough starter to keep things vegan and ensure the bread rises just right.

• Add herbs such as rosemary or thyme for a fresh twist.
• Swap honey with agave or maple syrup for vegan versions.
• Season with garlic powder or smoked paprika to match your mood or the season.

These changes help maintain the quality of your artisan sourdough bread while making it work for everyone.

Mastering Artisan Sourdough Bread: Advanced Tips and Variations

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, take your artisan sourdough bread to the next level. Try some pro techniques to improve flavor and texture. For instance, use cold fermentation in the fridge to make the bread taste deeper and feel just right.

Experiment with flavors by mixing in olives, nuts, or dried fruits. This adds a fun twist to your loaf. For presentation, use a proofing basket to get nice patterns, and dust with flour for that rustic look. If you’re short on time, prepare dough ahead and freeze shaped loaves to bake fresh later. Check our baking essentials guide for more storage ideas.

These tips make artisan sourdough bread even better for busy days or special occasions. Remember, an active starter that doubles in volume quickly is key to success.

How to Store Artisan Sourdough Bread: Best Practices

Keeping your artisan sourdough bread fresh is important for enjoying it longer. Store it properly to maintain that crispy crust and soft inside. Here are some easy ways to do that.

1. Wrap the bread in a paper bag and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days.
2. For longer storage, freeze it by wrapping tightly in plastic and foil; it lasts up to 3 months.
3. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes to bring back that fresh feel.
4. Slice and freeze portions for quick meals to cut down on waste.

These methods keep your artisan sourdough bread tasty and safe. Plus, they work well for meal prep if you’re always on the go.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Artisan Sourdough Bread

Artisan Sourdough Bread

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🍞 This homemade sourdough bread recipe simplifies artisan bread making, guiding you step-by-step for a flavorful, crusty loaf.
⏳ The natural fermentation produces a healthy bread with excellent texture and depth, perfect for home bakers looking to try sourdough.

• Total Time: 18 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

50 to 100 grams active sourdough starter

375 grams warm water

500 grams bread flour

9 to 12 grams fine sea salt

Gluten-free flour blend

Plant-based starter for vegan diets

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Instructions

1-Start: Start by getting your sourdough starter ready the day before so it’s bubbly and active. This sets the stage for a great rise and flavor in your bread.

2-Mix: First, mix the starter with warm water in a large bowl. Add the bread flour and salt to form a rough dough, then cover it and let it rest for 30 minutes. This rest, called autolyse, helps the flour absorb water and makes the dough easier to work with.

3-The Mixing and Folding Process: Next, do a series of stretches and folds. Pull a corner of the dough into the center and repeat 4 to 5 times, then let it rest for another 30 minutes. Keep this up for up to four rounds over two hours to build strength in the dough.

4-Ferment: After that, cover the bowl and let the dough bulk ferment at room temperature. It should grow by about 50 percent, which takes 6 to 10 hours based on your kitchen’s warmth and how strong your starter is. Using a straight-sided container makes it easy to see this change.

5-Shaping and Baking: Once fermented, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape it into a round. Let it rest seam side up for 20 to 40 minutes. Then shape it again and put it in a proofing bowl lined with a towel, cover it, and chill in the fridge for 12 to 48 hours. This cold proofing step, ideally at least 24 hours, gives you a lighter crumb and better taste. For more on proofing techniques, check our guide to sourdough tips.

6-Bake: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 550 degrees Fahrenheit with a Dutch oven inside. Take the dough from the fridge, put it on parchment paper, and score the top. Bake it covered at 450 degrees for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake at 400 degrees for another 10 to 15 minutes. If you want an extra crispy crust, leave it on the oven rack for 5 to 10 more minutes. Let it cool on a wire rack for at least one hour before slicing to get the best texture. The total time is about 18 hours and 45 minutes, with just 25 to 30 minutes of hands-on work.

Last Step:

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Notes

🌟 Use an active, bubbly starter that doubles in 4-8 hours after feeding.
❄️ Refrigerate dough to control fermentation and enhance flavor.
📏 Bulk ferment until volume increases ~50% for better oven spring, not fully doubled.

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 30 minutes active
• Total fermentation and bake time: 18 hours 15 minutes to 18 hours 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 to 55 minutes
• Category: Bread
• Method: Stretches and folds, cold proofing, Dutch oven baking
• Cuisine: Artisan
• Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice