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Homemade Sourdough French Bread

A delightful and comforting homemade sourdough French bread with a golden crust and soft, chewy interior, perfect for any meal.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Breakfast, Side, Snack
Cuisine: French
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients
  • 1 cup mature sourdough starter Ensure it's fed and bubbly!
  • 1.5 cups lukewarm water Helps activate the starter.
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour This forms the base of your bread.
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt To enhance flavor.

Method
 

Mixing the Dough
  1. In a large bowl, combine the mature sourdough starter and lukewarm water. Stir to combine, then gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix until no dry flour remains.
Autolyse
  1. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes to allow gluten to develop.
Kneading
  1. After resting, knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Bulk Fermentation
  1. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about 3 hours or until doubled in size. Gently fold the dough every hour to strengthen it.
Shaping the Loaf
  1. Once risen, turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently deflate it. Shape it into a round or oval loaf.
Second Rise
  1. Place the shaped loaf onto a floured banneton for another 1-2 hours or until puffed.
Preheating Oven
  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and place a Dutch oven or baking stone inside.
Scoring and Baking
  1. Carefully transfer the loaf onto parchment paper. Score the top with a sharp knife and place it in the hot Dutch oven, cover, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Cooling
  1. Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

For optimal results, ensure the sourdough starter is active and bubbly before beginning. Store bread in a paper bag at room temperature for freshness. Freeze sliced bread in an airtight container for up to 3 months.