The Ultimate Guide to Baking Sourdough Bread at Home

Baking sourdough bread is both an art and a science. This guide will walk you through the process of creating your own crusty, flavorful loaf.

Creating a Starter

Mix equal parts flour and water and let it sit for 5-7 days, feeding it daily. You’ll know it’s ready when it smells tangy and doubles in size.

Ingredients

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

Steps

1. Mix flour and water, let rest for 30 minutes (autolyse). 2. Add starter and salt, knead until smooth. 3. Let the dough rise for 8-12 hours, folding every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours. 4. Shape the dough, place in a proofing basket, and let rise for 2-4 hours. 5. Bake at 450°F (230°C) in a Dutch oven for 45 minutes, removing the lid halfway.

Tips

• Use a digital scale for precision.
• Experiment with different flours for unique flavors.
• Be patient—sourdough takes time.

Enjoy the process, and soon you’ll be baking bakery-quality bread at home.