Master the Art of Sourdough Bread Making: From Starter to Crust — A Complete Guide

There’s something almost sacred about sourdough.

Not just the tangy aroma that fills your kitchen.
Not just the crackling crust that shatters like autumn leaves under your fingers.
But the quiet magic of it all — a loaf born not from yeast packets or instant rise, but from wild microbes, time, patience, and a whisper of nature.

🍞 Simple Sourdough Bread Recipe

This recipe will guide you through baking a classic sourdough loaf at home. All you need is patience, flour, water, salt, and a healthy starter.

Ingredients:

500 g (4 cups) bread flour

350 g (1 ½ cups) water (room temperature)

100 g (½ cup) active sourdough starter

10 g (2 tsp) salt

Instructions:

Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the starter and water. Stir until dissolved. Add the flour and mix until no dry bits remain. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Add Salt
Sprinkle the salt over the dough and gently knead it in until evenly incorporated.

Bulk Fermentation
Cover the bowl and let the dough rest at room temperature (20–24°C / 68–75°F) for 4–6 hours. During this time, perform 3–4 sets of stretch-and-folds every 30–45 minutes to strengthen the dough.

Shape the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a round or oval loaf. Place it seam-side up in a floured proofing basket.

Proofing
Cover and refrigerate overnight (8–12 hours). This slow fermentation builds flavor and structure.

Preheat the Oven
Place a Dutch oven (or baking stone) inside your oven and preheat to 250°C (480°F) for at least 30 minutes.

Bake
Carefully place the dough into the hot Dutch oven. Score the top with a sharp blade. Cover with the lid and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for another 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.

Cool
Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 1 hour before slicing.

✨ Enjoy your homemade sourdough bread with butter, cheese, or simply on its own. Each loaf tells the story of patience, care, and tradition.