This sourdough bread recipe for beginners will help you unlock the need to never buy bread again. Packed with pre & probiotics, sourdough is a great gut-healthy bread choice.
rice flour for dusting the banneton and surface for shaping
rosemary, black olivesoptional but delicious if you love flavor
Instructions
Prepare levainIn a bowl, combine sourdough starter, water, and flour. Cover and rise in a warm spot for 5 hours until it's bubbly and doubled/tripled in size.
Autolyse (Main Dough)You can start making the main dough right after you've mixed up the levain. Add bread flour, whole wheat flour, and water to the bowl and mix until everything is combined (it shouldn't take longer than a minute or so). Scrape down the sides of your bowl if needed. Cover and rest/autolyse for 5 hours until the levain is ready.
Mix in levain and salt • Add the bubbly and active levain to the main dough. Do not add the salt yet. Mix for about two minutes until well incorporated. • Cover the bowl, and rest for 30 minutes. • Sprinkle in salt and mix for two-five minutes until the dough has a smooth and bouncy surface.Transfer the dough to a clean, large bowl: cover, and proof at 74°F/23°C-78°F/26°C for 1.5 hours.
Coil Folds x Repeat 4 times • With wet hands, slide both hands under the dough and slowly lift up while pulling the dough towards you, letting the dough fold underneath itself on the way down. Repeat on all four sides. Proof for 1.5 hours. • Repeat the folding three more times, letting the dough rest for 1.5 hours between each coil fold. Total proof time: 7-8 hours.
Shape And Cold ProofPrepare a 10-inch banneton by dusting it with rice flour. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. With the help of a bench scraper if needed, fold in the right side, then the left side, and roll down towards you. Shape the dough into the shape of your banneton and ensure you have surface tension for a good crust • Gently lift the dough into the prepared banneton, seam side up. Pinch the seams if need be to ensure it’s nice and taught. Cover, and place it in the fridge to cold-proof overnight (10-18 hours).
BakePlace your Bread Pan or large Dutch oven in the oven. Preheat for 45-60 minutes at 500°F/260°C. • Carefully remove the preheated Bread Pan from the oven. Tip the bread into parchment paper seam side down and place in Dutch oven. • Use a lame or razor blade to score the surface of the bread. Try scoring at a slight angle to give the bread the distinctive "ear." Put the lid back on and bake for 20-25 minutes.
After 20-25 minutes, remove the lid, turn down the heat to 430°F/220°C and bake for another 15-25 minutes until the bread has a deep golden color with a nice caramelized crust. • Transfer to a wire rack and cool for at least one hour before slicing.