Mastering the Art of Sourdough Bread: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Welcome to the world of sourdough bread baking! In this guide, we will take you through the process of making delicious sourdough bread from scratch. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned baker looking to perfect your skills, this step-by-step guide will help you create a beautiful loaf of sourdough bread.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 500g bread flour
• 350g water
• 100g active sourdough starter
• 10g salt

Step 1: Prepare the Sourdough Starter

If you don't have a sourdough starter yet, you'll need to create one at least a week before baking. Follow our guide on creating and maintaining a sourdough starter here.

Step 2: Mixing the Dough

1. In a large bowl, mix the water and sourdough starter until well combined.
2. Add the bread flour and salt to the bowl and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Folding and Shaping the Dough

Watch the video below for a demonstration on folding and shaping the dough:

Step 4: Baking the Bread

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven inside.
2. Place the dough into the preheated Dutch oven and score the top with a sharp knife.
3. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes until golden brown.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Homemade Sourdough Bread!

Allow the bread to cool before slicing and enjoying with your favorite toppings. Congratulations, you've just baked your own delicious sourdough bread!

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