1. Gather ingredients and equipment
2. Prepare the sourdough starter
3. Mix the dough
4. Bulk fermentation
5. Shape and final proof
6. Bake the bread
Gather ingredients and equipment
Gather flour, water, salt, and a sourdough starter. You'll also need a mixing bowl, a kitchen scale, a dough scraper, and a Dutch oven or baking stone.
Prepare the sourdough starter
Feed your sourdough starter and allow it to become active and bubbly before using it in your bread dough.
Mix the dough
Combine the flour, water, salt, and sourdough starter in a mixing bowl. Use your hands or a dough hook to mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Bulk fermentation
Allow the dough to ferment at room temperature for several hours, folding it every 30 minutes during the first few hours.
Shape and final proof
Shape the dough into a round or oval loaf and place it in a proofing basket or bowl lined with a floured kitchen towel. Let it proof at room temperature until it's puffy and has increased in size.
Bake the bread
Preheat your oven and baking vessel, then carefully transfer the proofed dough into the hot vessel. Bake with the lid on for the first part of the bake, then remove the lid to finish baking the bread. Allow the bread to cool before slicing and enjoying.