Country Loaf - Beginners’ version!
This beginner-friendly country loaf recipe uses all-purpose flour and has a low water content, making it easy to handle and shape. It produces a crisp crust and a soft, chewy interior, perfect for new sourdough bakers.
Ingredients
- 400 gall-purpose flour
- 275 gwarm water
- 80 gfed and active sourdough starter
- 8 gsalt
Directions
Mixing
- 1
Mix all ingredients together to form a shaggy dough, making sure there are no clumps of dried flour left.
- 2
Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Folds
- 1
After the initial rest, give the dough a stretch and fold, forming a ball.
- 2
Let it rest another 30 minutes.
- 3
Then do a coil fold.
- 4
Do 3 more folds over the next 2 hours.
- 5
Let the dough finish bulk fermenting for another 2 hours.
- 6
Ensure the dough has roughly doubled in size and has bubbles forming on top, but is still strong and can still be stretched.
- 7
If the dough begins to fall apart, shape it immediately and put it in the fridge in the coldest spot, then make a note to shorten bulk fermentation next time.
Shaping
- 1
Once it’s ready to be shaped, use a bit of flour on the surface of the dough to keep it from sticking to your counter and dump it out of the bowl.
- 2
Gently spread it out to form a square.
- 3
Fold in the left and right sides of the dough to make a long cylinder-like shape.
- 4
Roll the dough onto itself.
- 5
Heavily flour a kitchen towel-lined bowl or a banneton.
- 6
Put the dough, seam side up, into the bowl/banneton.
Cold Proof
- 1
Put the dough in the fridge overnight.
Baking
- 1
When you are almost ready to bake, preheat a baking vessel (Dutch oven, Challenger Cloche, or Fourneau) to 475°F for at least 20 minutes.
- 2
Take the dough out of the fridge and score it.
- 3
Bake it at 475°F covered for 20 minutes.
- 4
Once the 20 minutes are up, lower the oven to 450°F and bake an additional 15-20 minutes depending on the desired color.
- 5
To optimize your bread’s shelf life, wait until it has completely cooled (about 3 hours) to cut into it.
- 6
If you don’t care and just want to eat warm bread, give it 20-30 minutes and then enjoy!
About this Recipe
Bake Your First Perfect Country Loaf: The Beginner's Dream Bread!
Dreaming of baking a beautiful, rustic country loaf but intimidated by complex sourdough recipes? Look no further! Our Beginners’ Country Loaf is specifically designed to make your first foray into homemade bread baking an absolute joy. This incredibly forgiving recipe simplifies the process, making it accessible for even the most novice bakers.
What makes this easy country loaf so special for beginners? It all starts with the flour. We've chosen all-purpose flour, which is readily available in every kitchen and far easier to handle than high-protein bread flours often found in traditional sourdough recipes. This means less stickiness and more confidence for you!
Beyond the flour, this simple 4-ingredient bread boasts a lower water content. This crucial detail significantly eases the handling and shaping process, preventing frustration and ensuring you get a beautiful, well-formed loaf every time. With just all-purpose flour, water, your active sourdough starter, and a pinch of salt, you're on your way to creating an artisanal-quality bread right in your own home.
Tips for a Flawless First Loaf
- Don't Overthink It: The beauty of this beginner-friendly sourdough is its simplicity. Trust the process, and don't be afraid to get your hands a little dusty!
- Scoring is Key: A simple 'X' or a single slash across the top before baking will help your loaf expand beautifully, giving it that classic rustic look.
- Serving Suggestions: This homemade country loaf is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it warm with a pat of butter, alongside a hearty soup or stew, dipped in olive oil, or as the base for the most amazing sandwiches.
Get ready to impress yourself and everyone at your table with your very own homemade, perfectly crusted, and wonderfully soft-on-the-inside country loaf. Happy baking!