The Fresh Loaf

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Sour Dough Bread

Sour Dough Bread

KelleyHomey's picture
KelleyHomey

Description

Great recipe for old sourdough starter

Summary

Yield
loaf
Prep time
Cooking time
Total time

Ingredients

1 1⁄2 c
Warm Water
4 c
Unsifted Bread Flour
2 t
Sugar
2 t
salt
2 c
Bread Flour (more or less)
1⁄2 t
baking soda (or more)

Instructions

Combine water, starter, the 4 cups of flour, salt and sugar.  Mix well, place in a crock and leave in a warm place for about 18 hours, or until sponge has doubled in size. (If you start at 3 pm you can begin next step at about 9 am the next day). Stir in 1 cup of remaining flour, which has been mixed with the soda: the resulting dough will be very stiff.  Turn dough onto floured surface and knead, adding remaining 1 cup (more or less) as needed.  Knead until smooth- at least 8 minutes, until the dough cannot absorb any more flour.

Shape into 2 oblong loaves or one large Boule.  Place on lighly greased cookie sheet, cover and place in a warm place for 3-4 hours or until nearly doubled in size.  Just before baking brush (I use a spray bottle) with water and make diagonal slashes in the top with a very sharp knife. 

Bake in a hot oven 425 degrees (with a shallow pan of hot water if crispy crust is desired) until crust is medium dark brown. About 45 minutes for oblong loaved 50-55 for boule

Notes

Takes about 24 hours total - most inactive rising time. 

Comments

LarryTheDouglas's picture
LarryTheDouglas

This was the stiffest dough I have ever worked with but it spread, not rose.

Any suggestions?

LarryTheDouglas's picture
LarryTheDouglas

This is now my wife’s favorite bread. My second attempt was much fluffier and wonderful. I was afraid I had over-proofed it.

thanks!

Sug101's picture
Sug101

What did you do differently?