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Country Sourdough

Country Sourdough Loaf

Country sourdough loaf anyone can bake! Achieve a crisp, golden crust and an airy crumb right from your own kitchen. This is my every day, tried and true sourdough loaf recipe that I have been perfecting for years. Open crumb, golden crust, it's dreamy!
Servings 2 Loaves

Ingredients
  

  • 190 g active sourdough starter
  • 780 g bread flour
  • 60 g rye flour
  • 50 g semolina flour
  • Water (1)625g, filtered, warm
  • 20 g salt Redmond’s Real Salt
  • Water (2) 50g, filtered, warm

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine starter, all flour and water 1. Dough will appear shaggy.
  • In a small bowl, combine water 2 and salt.
  • Cover large bowl with a tea towel, rest 1 hour.
  • Pour water 2 and salt over dough. Squeeze with hands until water is absorbed and dough feels stronger. Cover with tea towel.
  • 45 minutes later, stretch and fold dough.
  • Repeat 4 more times, 5 stretch and folds in total.
  • Rest 1 hour.
  • Lightly flour counter. With dough scraper (bench scraper) cut into 2 equal parts. Use a kitchen scale or eye ball it.
  • Preshape loaves. Rest 20 minutes.
  • Shape dough. Place seam side up in floured proofing baskets. Cover with tea towel.
  • Proof at room temperature until the dough quickly snaps back when you lightly press your finger into it. 1-1.5 hours.
  • Place loaves in refrigerator overnight, covered with tea towel.
  • Next day, place wire rack in middle of oven. Preheat oven to 500F with Dutch oven inside for at least 30 minutes.
  • Flip first loaf onto a floured piece of parchment or bread sling. Score the dough ¼ inch deep.
  • Transfer loaf to oven. Lower temperature to 475F.
  • Bake 20 minutes with lid on.
  • Bake with lid off until golden brown crust is achieved. 20 minutes or so.
  • If you are baking the second loaf right after, let the cooking vessel and oven heat up at 500F for at least 15 minutes.
  • Transfer loaf to a wire rack to cool. Do not cut until cool, 2-4 hours.