Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- 1¼ cups warm water
- 3 tablespoons honey or sugar
- 3 tablespoons softened butter
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1½ teaspoons salt
Step-by-Step Recipe
Step 1: Feed Your Starter
Start by feeding your sourdough starter 4–6 hours before baking. You want it bubbly, active, and doubled in size. A healthy starter helps the bread rise beautifully and gives it that classic sourdough flavor.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the active starter, warm water, honey, and butter. Stir gently until mostly mixed. Add the bread flour and salt. Mix everything together until a shaggy dough forms. The dough may look a little sticky at first, and that’s perfectly normal.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for about 5–6 minutes. The dough should feel soft but not overly sticky.
Step 4: First Rise
Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover it with a towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for 6–8 hours, or until doubled in size. Since sourdough rises more slowly than regular yeast bread, patience is important here.
Step 5: Shape the Bread
Once risen, gently punch down the dough to remove excess air. Shape it into a tight loaf by rolling it up firmly. Place the dough into a greased sandwich loaf pan.
Step 6: Second Rise
Cover the loaf pan lightly and let the dough rise again for 2–4 hours. The dough should puff up and rise slightly above the edge of the pan.
Step 7: Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 35–40 minutes until the top turns golden brown. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 8: Cool Before Slicing
Remove the bread from the pan and place it on a wire rack. Let it cool completely before slicing. This keeps the inside soft and prevents the bread from becoming gummy.
Serving Ideas
This sourdough sandwich bread is perfect for toast, grilled sandwiches, breakfast spreads, or homemade garlic bread. The crust is soft, and the inside stays fluffy and flavorful for days.
