Soft & Fluffy Homemade Sourdough Bread Loaves
This easy homemade sourdough bread recipe makes two soft and fluffy loaves with the tangy flavor of classic sourdough. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just enjoying fresh from the oven, it is a delicious alternative to store-bought bread that fills your kitchen with a warm, comforting aroma.
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- Sourdough whisk or mixer with hook attachment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Plastic wrap or clean tea towel
- Lightly floured surface for shaping dough
- 2 bread pans glass preferred
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing pans
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- 8 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 ⅔ cups warm water use less water if in a humid climate
- 2 tablespoon Kosher course salt any salt works
- 8 tablespoon melted not hot butter
- 4 tablespoon honey
Instructions
Preparing the dough:
- In a large bowl or your stand mixers bowl, add the sourdough starter, warm water, salt, honey and melted butter.
- Use a sourdough whisk (or a mixer with the hook attachment) to combine starter, water, salt and cooled, melted butter into a bowl until everything is well mixed.
- Add in 6 cups of flour and knead until almost fully combined, then add in the other 2 cups of flour.
- Knead the dough until fully combined (approx. 5 minutes). The dough should feel warm!
- If you have dry parts remaining, add 2 tablespoon of water until your dough is consistent.
- Cover the bowl with oil-sprayed plastic wrap (not too tight, to allow air in overnight).
- Allow the dough to rest covered overnight on the counter for at least 16 hours.
The next day/after overnight rise:
- Pull out the dough onto a slightly floured counter and divide into two equal parts.
- Stretch out the dough and roll it into itself. Be sure to pinch and tuck the sides under (see video for help). You want these to be shaped into loaves.
- Spray two bread pans (I prefer glass) generously with cooking spray or use butter to grease the entire pan, and add the loaves in.
- Cover each bread pan lightly with oil-sprayed plastic wrap or a tea towel and let rise for 2 hours. You don’t want to seal it fully to allow some air in, which will allow with the second rise.
- Once doubled in size (it should be about 1-2 inches over the top of the bread pan), pre-heat the oven to 375℉ and bake the loaves for 35 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack. Pro tip: Glide a little butter on top while it's hot!
- Enjoy with your favorite spreads and toppings!
