Week 2: Basic Sourdough Recipe
- tipsygoosefarm
- Jan 27
- 3 min read
Starting your sourdough journey can feel overwhelming but taking a bite out of your first, fresh from the oven loaf makes it all worthwhile. This guide walks you through my simple sourdough recipe perfect for beginners. You will learn the essential ingredients and step-by-step baking process to create a crusty, flavorful loaf at home. YUM
Ingredients
To bake your first sourdough loaf, gather these basic ingredients:
Active sourdough starter*: 130 grams
All Purpose flour: 500 grams
Water: 350 grams (lukewarm, around 75°F or 24°C)
Salt: 10 grams
*Sourdough starter is a live culture of wild yeast and bacteria that ferments the dough. If you don’t have one yet, you can create your own starter over several days or obtain some from a friend or bakery. See my post on how to create your own here Living a Sourdough Life
Preparing the Dough
Step 1: Mix the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine flour and water. Stir until no dry flour remains. This mixture is called the autolyse and helps hydrate the flour for better gluten development. Cover the bowl and let it rest for 30 to 45 minutes.
Step 2: Add Starter and Salt
After the autolyse, add the active sourdough starter and salt to the dough. Mix thoroughly until the starter and salt are fully incorporated. This may take a few minutes of folding and pressing the dough.
Step 3: Bulk Fermentation and Stretch & Fold
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let the dough ferment at room temperature (around 70°F or 21°C) for 4 to 6 hours. During this time, perform a series of stretch and folds every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours. To do this:
Wet your hand to prevent sticking
Reach under the dough, stretch it upward gently, then fold it over the top
Rotate the bowl and repeat 3 to 4 times
This technique strengthens the dough without kneading.
Shaping and Proofing
Step 4: Shape the Dough
After bulk fermentation, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a round or oval loaf by folding the edges toward the center, then gently tighten the surface by rotating the dough against the work surface.
Step 5: Final Proof
Place the shaped dough into a well-floured banneton basket or a bowl lined with a floured kitchen towel. Cover and let it proof for 2 to 4 hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator for a slower, more flavorful rise. I prefer to rest it in the fridge overnight.
Baking Your Sourdough
Step 6: Preheat the Oven and Dutch Oven
About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) with a Dutch oven inside. The Dutch oven traps steam, which helps create a crispy crust.
Step 7: Score and Bake
Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven. Turn the dough out onto parchment paper and score the top with a sharp knife or razor blade. Scoring allows the bread to expand during baking.
Place the dough with the parchment paper into the Dutch oven. To add more steam: place 2 ice cubes in the dutch oven. Just slip them between the dutch oven wall and parchment paper.
Cover with the lid and bake for 22 minutes. Then remove the lid, turn oven tempterature down to 450 F (230 C) and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown.
Step 8: Cool Before Slicing
Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Let it cool completely, at least 1 hour, before slicing. Cooling allows the crumb to set and prevents a gummy texture.
Step 9: Enjoy!
Slice with a good bread knife, slather with butter and try not to eat the entire loaf!
Tips for Success
Use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements. Baking is precise, and small changes affect the outcome.
Keep your sourdough starter active by feeding it regularly. A healthy starter produces better rise and flavor.
Experiment with hydration levels. If the dough feels too sticky, reduce water slightly; if too dry, add a bit more.
Practice scoring on scrap dough to gain confidence before your first bake.
Be patient. Sourdough baking improves with experience and observation.
For more sourdough inspiration https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18016724669566475/
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