How to Make Sourdough Bread
Baking

How to Make Sourdough Bread

Makes 1 loaf
HW
Howdy· Apr 1, 2026
0 of 6 done

Feed your starter

Mix 50g active sourdough starter with 50g bread flour and 50g room-temperature water. Stir well, cover loosely, and leave at room temperature for 4–8 hours until bubbly and doubled.

50g sourdough starter50g bread flour50g water

Mix the dough

Combine 450g bread flour, 325g water, and 10g salt in a large bowl. Add the ripe starter and mix until no dry flour remains. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.

450g bread flour325g water10g saltactive starter

Stretch and fold

Over the next 3 hours perform 4 sets of stretch and folds every 30 minutes: grab one side of the dough, stretch it upward, and fold it over to the other side. Rotate the bowl and repeat 4 times per set.

large mixing bowl

Shape the loaf

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into a tight round by folding edges to the centre, then flip seam-side down and drag toward you to build tension. Place seam-side up in a floured proofing basket.

bread flour for dustingproofing basket

Cold proof overnight

Cover the basket with a plastic bag and refrigerate for 12–16 hours. Cold proofing develops flavour and makes scoring easier.

plastic bag or cling wrap

Bake in a Dutch oven

Preheat oven to 250°C (480°F) with a Dutch oven inside for 1 hour. Turn cold dough onto parchment, score the top with a sharp blade, then bake covered for 20 minutes. Remove lid and bake 20 more minutes until deep brown.

Dutch ovenparchment paperlame or sharp knife
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How to Make Sourdough Bread — Howdy