Basic Sourdough Bread Recipe

Written by
Elizabeth Yetter
Bread expert Elizabeth Yetter has been baking bread for more than 20 years, bringing her Pennsylvania Dutch Country experiences to life through recipes.
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Elizabeth Yetter
Updated 07/22/19
Ripped sourdough bread
Justin Bernhaut/Photodisc/Getty Images
Prep: 2 hrs 30 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 3 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 10 servings

Here is your chance to finally use the sourdough starter you’ve made! This 1-loaf recipe is a very basic, beginner’s sourdough bread recipe. The crust is soft and chewy and the middle is moist. Great as toast, for making sandwiches, and for dinnertime.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp. shortening
  • 2 tbsp. sugar
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup sourdough starter
  • 2 to 3 cups flour (bread)

Steps to Make It

  1. In a small saucepan, scald milk and shortening. Set aside and allow to cool until lukewarm.

  2. In a large bowl, add sugar and salt. Pour in warm milk and melted shortening. Stir until sugar is dissolved.

  3. Mix in a starter.

  4. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough is too thick to be mixed with wooden spoon.

  5. Turn dough out on floured board and begin to knead for 10 minutes, adding flour when dough gets sticky.

  6. Put dough in greased bowl and turn over so that dough top is greased. Cover and let rise in warm place for 90 minutes.

  7. Punch down dough. Cover bowl and let rise a second time for 30 minutes.

  8. Punch down dough. Turn onto board and knead for about 3 minutes.

  9. Shape dough into a round loaf. Place on greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 60 minutes or until double in size.

  10. Preheat oven 400 F.

  11. Using a sharp knife, slash an X on the bread top. Bake for 40 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when tapped on.

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