Simple Sourdough: Easy Bread for Beginners
Simple Sourdough: Easy Bread for Beginners
There’s something truly magical about baking sourdough bread from scratch. It’s slow, intentional, and rewarding.
If you’ve ever dreamed of pulling a golden, crusty loaf from your oven but felt intimidated by the process, don’t worry—you’re in the right place. Sourdough is all about patience and practice, not perfection. This beginner-friendly recipe will guide you through each step, helping you create a delicious, naturally leavened loaf with just flour, water, salt, and time.
So, let’s roll up our sleeves, get our hands in the dough, and embrace the art of slow baking. Because the best things in life—like a thriving garden, a cozy home, or a warm loaf of homemade bread—take time to bloom. 🌿🍞💕
Ingredients
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 3 ¼ cups flour
Instructions
- Prepare for the Final Rise
- Place your shaped loaf onto a piece of parchment paper inside a bowl to help maintain its shape. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel (I like to use plastic wrap with a damp towel on top) and let it rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until slightly puffy.
- Preheat the Oven
- While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 425°F. Place your Dutch oven inside to heat up for 30–40 minutes. You can use a cast iron or enameled Dutch oven, but a lid is necessary to prevent burning.
- Score the Dough
- Once the dough has finished rising, lightly flour the top and score it using a bread lame or sharp paring knife. You can keep it simple with a straight cut or experiment with fun patterns—this allows the bread to expand properly as it bakes.
- Bake the Bread
- Carefully transfer the parchment paper with the loaf into the hot Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 40 minutes. Then, remove the lid and bake for an additional 12 minutes, until the crust turns golden. (If you prefer a softer crust, you can reduce this uncovered baking time.)
- Cool & Enjoy
- Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This helps the interior set properly—waiting is the hardest part, but it’s worth it!
Notes
Enjoy your homemade sourdough! 🍞✨
