Sarah
This is one of those loaves I was really proud of when it came out of the oven. The oven spring was perfectly executed, and when I sliced the bread, the crumb made me very happy. It was a hit at home, too: my partner immediately asked for a second slice, and Tom and Ben were also very enthusiastic. What I love so much about sourdough bread is that, just like in your vegetable garden, you can always keep learning. My next challenge? Experimenting with more beautiful decorative scoring. As soon as I've mastered new techniques, I'll be happy to share them with you.
Can I bake sourdough bread on the same day?
Yes, with this recipe you make a delicious sourdough loaf without an overnight cold proof. The entire process, from mixing to baking, happens on the same day.
How long does it take to bake sourdough bread?
The total preparation time is usually 6 to 10 hours, depending on the activity of your starter and the room temperature. The majority of that time consists of proofing and fermenting.
Do I need an active sourdough starter?
Yes, an active and well-fed starter is essential for a successful sourdough loaf. Your starter should show plenty of bubbles and roughly double in volume before you bake with it.
Can I bake sourdough bread without a cast-iron pot?
Yes, a cast-iron pot helps retain steam and creates a nice oven spring, but you can also bake on a baking sheet with a baking cloche in the oven. At Plukkers, we actually recommend this ourselves because a cast-iron pot is incredibly heavy.
How do I know when my dough has proofed enough?
The dough should be visibly airier and feel soft. When you gently press the dough with a wet finger, the indentation should spring back slowly.
Why does my sourdough bread tear during baking?
This is usually because the dough has not proofed enough or because the bread was not scored deeply enough before baking.
How do I store homemade sourdough bread?
Store the bread at room temperature in a bread bag or bread bin. This usually keeps it fresh for 2 to 4 days. You can also freeze it in slices.
What is the difference between this recipe and sourdough bread with a cold proof?
With this recipe, you bake the bread on the same day. A cold-proof recipe allows the dough to ferment overnight in the fridge, which creates a deeper flavor and more flexibility in your schedule.
Can I bake this sourdough bread without a sourdough starter?
No. For this recipe, you need an active sourdough starter. Don't have a starter yet? Make one first according to my guide.
How do I know if my sourdough starter is ready to use?
An active starter contains many air bubbles and has visibly increased in volume. In my article on feeding and storing a sourdough starter, you can read exactly how to check this.
Can I also make this sourdough bread with a cold final proof?
Yes. After shaping, you can place the dough in the proofing basket, covered, in the refrigerator for a cold final proof. This provides extra flavor development and gives you more flexibility in your planning. Check out our recipe for sourdough bread with a cold final proof for the exact method and timing.
