I call this my no fuss sourdough method because it is so easy anyone can do it! I have been wanting to write this post up for awhile because I have seen so many posts online making sourdough sound so complicated. I have seen everything from detailed multi-step proccesses to throwing out discard daily to taking the dough to town so it can be babysat while running errands.
I simply don’t have time for that kind of nonsense. I already have four kids to take care of and I don’t need to be babysitting my dough. Don’t even get me started on how wasteful throwing out all that discard is!
So over the last several years I have come up with my own method of making sourdough. This method is base on trial and error and inspiration from other sources. Years ago I started making non sourdough bread using the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day and it was so easy. When I switched to baking almost only sourdough I wanted something similarly easy and this method was born. My method really doesn’t take much more than 5 minutes a day excluding the resting and baking time. Somebody else is probably making sourdough this way but I haven’t really seen anything like it online.
My method is so simple that it almost takes all the mystery out of sourdough, although I am still amazed every time beautiful loaf comes out of the oven!
Here are the 5 basic steps I do:
1. Take starter out of the fridge and add some to a bowl. Then add all the other ingredients from your chosen recipe.
2. Mix and knead in the bowl until a dough is formed. Cover and allow to rise for 8-12 hours.
3. Feed starter equal parts flour and water, place back in fridge.
4. Form dough into loaves or rolls. Allow to rest for 20 minutes to 1 hour. Preheat oven.
5. Bake bread.
That’s it! No fussing with feeding the starter first, waiting until it is active, or dealing with discard. This is how I make Sourdough every time. Everything from artisan loaves to dinner rolls to cinnamon rolls!
Now time for a recipe! This Artisan loaf is the my simplest and easiest recipe. There are only 4 ingredients in it and it takes only 5 minutes to mix up.
Scroll all the way to the bottom to see a step by step video and download a pretty printable recipe card!
Let me know in the comments below if you try this recipe and what sourdough recipe you would like to see next!
No Fuss Sourdough~ Artisan Style
Difficulty: Easy2
loaves15
minutes35
minutesThe easiest sourdough ever!
Ingredients
1 cup sourdough starter
3 cups water
6 1/2 – 7 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. salt
Directions
- Take your sourdough starter directly out of the fridge and add 1 cup to bowl. Add water and salt and mix
- Slowly add flour until a shaggy dough forms. At this point I usually use my hands to gently knead dough adding enough flour to make the dough less sticky but still soft. Cover and allow to rest 8-12 hours, I usually make my dough in the evening and let it sit overnight.
- Feed starter by adding about equal parts water and flour and mixing well. Place back in fridge.
- After 8- 12 hours or dough has risen about double, use floured hands to press down and divide dough into 2 parts. Taking each part gently shape into a ball by tucking all the edges underneath. Place on a sheet of parchment paper. Flour the top and slash at least once with a sharp knife. Cover and allow to rest about 20 minutes while the oven preheats to 425 degrees Farenheit. Place a Dutch oven to heat in the oven for a few minutes.
- Gently lift parchment paper with loaf into the hot Dutch oven and place lid on top. Bake in oven at 425F for 30 to 35 minutes or until a light golden brown and crust is firm but not too hard.
Notes
- You may save half the dough in the fridge if you prefer to only bake 1 loaf. It will be fine for a few days. When ready to bake the next loaf simply take it out for an hour to warm up and then proceed with shaping the loaf as directed.
- Scroll down for some photos of how the dough should look. And for a video of the whole proccess.
Shaggy Dough
Resting Dough
I nearly spit out my coffee about taking the dough to town to be babysat while running errands. I’m a huge lover of sourdough and can’t wait to try this recipe!
I was pretty surprised when I heard some one say that!