- Gather your ingredients and equipment
- Mix and ferment the dough
- Shape and proof the dough
- Bake the sourdough bread
- Cool and enjoy your freshly baked bread
Gather your ingredients and equipment
Gather high-quality flour, water, salt, and sourdough starter. You will also need a large mixing bowl, a kitchen scale, a dough scraper, a banneton or proofing basket, and a Dutch oven or baking stone for baking.
Mix and ferment the dough
Combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl and let the dough ferment for several hours, allowing the natural yeast in the sourdough starter to work its magic. This step develops the flavor and structure of the bread.
Shape and proof the dough
After fermenting, shape the dough into a round or oval loaf and place it in a banneton or proofing basket to proof. This step allows the dough to rise and develop its final shape before baking.
Bake the sourdough bread
Preheat your oven and baking vessel, then carefully transfer the proofed dough into the hot vessel. Bake the bread with the lid on for the first part of the baking process, then remove the lid to allow the crust to develop.
Cool and enjoy your freshly baked bread
Once the bread is baked to a beautiful golden brown, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Slice and enjoy your delicious homemade sourdough bread!