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Classic sourdough bread

Classic sourdough bread
Prepare
over 2 hours
Cook
30 mins to 1 hour
Serve
Makes 1 loaf

Once you’ve made your own sourdough ‘starter’ and produced a few loaves using it, there’ll be no going back to supermarket bread.

By Paul Hollywood

From Paul Hollywood's Bread

Shopping list

Ingredients

How-to videos

Method

  1. Combine the flour, starter and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the water, a little at a time, and mix with your hands to make a soft dough (you may not need all of the water).

  2. Coat a chopping board or work surface with olive oil, then tip the dough onto it and knead the dough for 10-15 minutes, or until the dough forms is smooth and elastic.

  3. Tip the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover with cling film. Leave to rise in a warm place for five hours, or until at least doubled in size.

  4. Knead the dough until it’s smooth, knocking the air out. Roll into a ball and dust with flour.

  5. Tip the dough into a well-floured round banneton or proving basket and leave to rise for 4-8 hours.

  6. Put a tray half filled with water on the bottom oven shelf and preheat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7.

  7. Gently tip the risen dough onto a lined baking tray. Bake the loaf for 30 minutes at this heat, then reduce the heat to 200C/400F/Gas 6 and bake for a further 15-20 minutes. Cool on a cooling rack.