Why Make This Recipe
Soft sourdough sandwich bread is perfect for making delicious sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying with butter. The gentle tang from the sourdough starter adds flavor, while the loaf’s soft texture keeps everything together. This bread is not only tasty but also comforting, bringing the joy of homemade baking to your kitchen.
How to Make The Best Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread
Ingredients:
- 600 g (2 2/3 cups) lukewarm water
- 200 g (1 cup) active sourdough starter
- 80 g (1/4 cup) honey or pure maple syrup
- 40 g (2 1/2 Tbsp) avocado oil (or any mild flavored oil)
- 1050 g (7 cups) bread flour (unbleached all-purpose flour works too!) (sifted and leveled)
- 24 g (4 tsp) salt
Directions:
Step 1: Feed your Sourdough Starter – Prepare a Levain
Start by feeding your sourdough starter to ensure it’s active and bubbly. It’s best to do this about 4-6 hours before you plan to start making the bread.
Step 2: Mix & Rest – Bulk Fermentation
In a large bowl, combine the lukewarm water, sourdough starter, honey or maple syrup, and avocado oil. Mix well. Gradually add the bread flour and salt. Stir until no dry flour remains. Cover your bowl with a damp towel and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
Step 3: Strengthen the Dough (Stretch & Folds)
After the rest, perform stretch and folds on the dough every 30 minutes for the next 2-3 hours. This helps to develop gluten and strengthen the dough.
Step 4: First Rise
After your stretch and fold sessions, let the dough rise at room temperature until it doubles in size. This usually takes about 4-6 hours, depending on the temperature in your kitchen.
Step 5: Cold Proof / Cold Ferment
Once the dough has risen, gently shape it into a ball and place it into a lightly greased bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours. This cold proof adds flavor and improves texture.
Step 6: Shape & Second Rise
Take the dough out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then, shape it into a loaf and place it into a greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise again until it puffs up, about 1-2 hours.
Step 7: Score and Bake
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Once the dough has risen, use a sharp knife to score the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
Step 8: Cool, Slice, & Enjoy
After baking, remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your homemade sourdough sandwich bread!
How to Serve The Best Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread
This bread is versatile! Use it for sandwiches, toast with jam, or serve alongside soups and salads. You can also enjoy it plain or with a spread of butter or olive oil for a simple snack.
How to Store The Best Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread
To keep your bread fresh, store it in a paper bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer. It can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Tips to Make The Best Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread
- Make sure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly before beginning.
- Adjust the hydration level by adding more or less water depending on your flour type and humidity.
- Allow the dough to rest adequately during each step to develop flavor and texture.
- Experiment with different oils for varied flavors.
Variation
You can add ingredients like herbs, cheese, or seeds to give your bread a unique twist. Dried fruit or nuts can also be incorporated for a sweet variation.
FAQs
1. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of white flour?
Yes, you can substitute some of the bread flour with whole wheat flour, but it may change the texture slightly.
2. What if I don’t have a sourdough starter?
You can make this bread with commercial yeast, but the flavor will differ. Use around 1 to 2 teaspoons of instant yeast instead of the starter.
3. How do I know when my bread is done baking?
Your bread is done when it is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. An internal temperature of about 190°F (88°C) indicates it’s fully cooked.
Enjoy making and sharing this delightful sourdough sandwich bread!
Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread
Ingredients
Method
- Feed your sourdough starter about 4-6 hours before starting.
- In a large bowl, combine the lukewarm water, sourdough starter, honey or maple syrup, and avocado oil. Mix well.
- Gradually add the bread flour and salt. Stir until no dry flour remains.
- Cover with a damp towel and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
- Perform stretch and folds on the dough every 30 minutes for the next 2-3 hours.
- Let the dough rise at room temperature until it doubles in size, about 4-6 hours.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a lightly greased bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
- Take the dough out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Shape it into a loaf and place into a greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise again until it puffs up, about 1-2 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Score the risen dough with a sharp knife and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.