Sourdough Mastery: A Foolproof Recipe for Baking Success

Sourdough Mastery: A Foolproof Recipe for Baking Success

Are you ready to embark on a journey to become a sourdough master? The last three days, working hard to find the perfect sourdough bread recipe. Thanks to a kind soul look no further! In this blog post, we will share a foolproof recipe that will help you achieve baking success every time. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe will guide you through the process of creating delicious and crusty sourdough bread.

Ingredients

Before we dive into the recipe, let's make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. To make this sourdough bread, you will need:

• 4 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 cups water (at room temperature)
• 1/2 cup sourdough starter
• 1 teaspoon salt

It took sometime to translate the ingredients from grams. Make sure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly before you begin. If it needs a little boost, feed it with equal parts flour and water a few hours before starting the recipe.

The Step-by-Step Process

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, let's jump into the step-by-step process of making the perfect sourdough bread:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour and water. Mix until all the flour is hydrated, and let it rest for 30 minutes. This step is called autolyse and helps develop gluten.
2. Add the sourdough starter to the bowl and mix it into the dough. You can use your hands or a wooden spoon for this step.
3. After the starter is fully incorporated, sprinkle the salt over the dough. Again, mix it in thoroughly.
4. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest for 4-6 hours at room temperature. During this time, perform a series of stretch and folds every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours. This helps strengthen the dough.
5. After the bulk fermentation, transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a round loaf by folding the edges towards the center.
6. Place the shaped dough into a proofing basket or a bowl lined with a floured cloth. Cover it and let it rise for another 2-3 hours, or until it has visibly increased in size.
7. While the dough is proofing, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a Dutch oven or a baking stone inside to heat up.
8. Once the dough has finished proofing, carefully transfer it to the preheated Dutch oven or baking stone. Score the top with a sharp knife to allow for expansion.
9. Bake the bread covered for 20 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
10. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

    
    Enjoy Sourdough

    Congratulations! You've successfully mastered the art of baking sourdough bread. The final step is to enjoy your creation. Slice the bread, slather it with butter, and savor the tangy flavor and chewy texture that only a homemade sourdough can provide.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Don't be discouraged if your first attempt doesn't turn out exactly as planned. We made three loafs and sourdough pancakes in three days. Baking sourdough is an art that takes time to perfect. Keep experimenting, adjusting, and most importantly, enjoy the process!