Classic San Francisco Sourdough Bread

"I have looked hi and low for a recipe like this. I am so happy to have found it. Perfect slathered in butter or as a sandwich (grilled is great)"
 
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photo by Nastia R. photo by Nastia R.
photo by Nastia R.
photo by Leggy Peggy photo by Leggy Peggy
photo by LAURIE photo by LAURIE
photo by jeanetteJ photo by jeanetteJ
photo by Benjamin R. photo by Benjamin R.
Ready In:
12hrs 30mins
Ingredients:
7
Yields:
2 loaves
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ingredients

  • 2 cups warm water
  • 6 -8 cups flour (this depends on altitude and how thick your sourdough starter is)
  • 1 cup sourdough starter (unproofed)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 12 cup water
  • 12 teaspoon cornstarch
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directions

  • In a large bowl, combine the water, sourdough starter and 4 cups of flour.
  • Mix well and cover with plastic wrap in a warm place 8-12 hours (I do it over night).
  • The next day stir in the salt and sugar and add flour 1/2 to 1 cup at a time to make a very stiff dough .
  • Knead till smooth.
  • Cover and let rise 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
  • Punch down and divide in half.
  • Knead till smooth and form into rounds. Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover lightly and let rise till double and puffy (1 to 1-2 hrs).
  • While this is rising mix the 1/2 cup water and 1/2 tsp cornstarch in a small bowl and microwave till boiling, remove from heat and let cool.
  • Heat oven to 400°F.
  • Carefully place a small pan of hot water on the bottom rack of the oven.
  • Cut two slashes across each other on top of each loaf.
  • Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Pull out the rack and baste each loaf well with the cornstarch mixture.
  • Close the oven and allow to bake another 20-25 minutes. Loaves should be a light golden color and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  • You are suppose to allow this to cool for 2 hrs to develop the sourdough flavor fully -- we wait maybe 30-45 minutes!

Questions & Replies

  1. Also, did anyone let the first dough rise more than 12 hours? I started the process at 4 pm today and have class till noon tomorrow. Is it better to mix the flour and salt and extend the second proof?
     
  2. I just fed my started and I wanted to start this dough in a few hours. Will this still turn out with freshly fed starter?
     
  3. Which sourdough starter is used?
     
  4. Thanks for this recipe. Can I use a Dutch oven to bake this?
     
  5. what type of flour?
     
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Reviews

  1. I tried it with my pretty young starter. It turned out amazing! Not sour enough, but that is my starter and not the recipe. I am going to try to let it sit for longer next time or add more starter vs. flour (suggestions from the company I bought my initial starter from). I baked one loaf in the Dutch Oven and one on the baking sheet. I have to say that Dutch oven technique produces MUCH better looking results (I think crust is also nicer that way). I am not sure I actually used all 6 cups of flour, I just don't remember. I used my food processor with Dough option - easy and fast.
     
    • Review photo by Nastia R.
  2. This was my first time making a loaf of bread with no assistance (I usually let the bread machine make the dough), but I was thrilled by the challenge! I have been growing a sourdough starter for almost two weeks and wanted to try it out and do it right. This recipe was terrific! I was worried my starter wasn't "sour" enough, and while it will surely get better with time, it was enough to make this bread taste like a real sourdough loaf! My arms are sore from kneading, but the bread came out like a dream! It's all we could do not to eat a whole loaf at once! Oh yeah, and it's true that the flavor became more pronounced after waiting. We ate it about 45 minutes out of the oven and it was good, but the next day it actually tasted distinctly like a sourdough loaf. Great recipe thanks!!
     
  3. This is a great recipe. I made 2 loaves & baked it in pans. I left one plain & made the other into a cinnamon swirl loaf. I did mix & knead my dough in my KA mixer & it worked fine. The bread has a lovely sourdough flavour. It came out with a nice crispy crust even though I did not put water in the oven while baking. I will make this recipe again. Thanks for posting it startnover.
     
  4. Very very good. I did need to add a teaspoon of yeast as my starter lacked the livelyness it should have had. The end product was excellent!!! Looks great and tastes great. Worth the effort. Thanks for posting!
     
  5. Simply superb! I've been baking bread for over 20 years but only recently embarked on the sourdough journey and finally made my own starter which was 4 months old by time I'd tried this recipe. What can I say - this is a standout among my new sourdough collection. It results in perfect crumb structure, great crust (though I bake it a bit longer) and fantastic flavour. The cornflour wash enhances the crust nicely and makes for a lovely appearance. It has resulted in much praise from everybody who has tasted it, and has become a staple in my household. Thanks for posting the recipe!
     
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Tweaks

  1. Egg white instead of starch mixture, longer final rise time
     

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