How to Make Homemade Sourdough Bread

Overall Summary of the Instructions

This guide will walk you through the process of making homemade sourdough bread. The steps include mixing the dough, bulk fermentation, shaping, proofing, and finally, scoring and baking. Each step is crucial for developing the bread's texture and flavor.

TLDR

1. Mix water, sourdough starter, salt, and flour to form a dough.
2. Let the dough rise (bulk fermentation) with periodic stretching and folding.
3. Shape the dough and let it rest.
4. Proof the dough in the fridge for 24-48 hours.
5. Score and bake the dough.

Step-by-Step Detailed Guide

1. Mix the Dough

Combine the following ingredients in a bowl to form a sticky dough ball:

• 375 grams of water
• 50 to 100 grams of sourdough starter
• 11 grams of salt
• 500 grams of bread flour

Stir until the ingredients are well mixed.

2. Bulk Fermentation

Transfer the dough to a straight-sided vessel and cover it. Allow it to rest for 30 minutes. Perform a set of stretches and folds every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours. This process helps to build the dough's strength and elasticity. Continue to let the dough rise until it increases in volume by about 50%.

3. Shape + Bench Rest

After the bulk fermentation, shape the dough and let it rest for a bit. Then, shape it once more to prepare it for proofing.

4. Proofing the Dough

Place the shaped dough into the fridge for cold proofing. Ideally, this should be done for 24 to 48 hours, but a shorter proofing time can also work.

5. Scoring + Baking the Dough

Preheat your oven and baking vessel. Turn the proofed dough onto a piece of parchment paper and score the top with a razor blade. Transfer the dough to the preheated baking vessel and bake.

References

For more detailed instructions and tips, you can refer to the following sources:

• Homemade Sourdough Bread, Step by Step | Alexandra's Kitchen
• Beginner's Sourdough Bread | The Perfect Loaf