Best Sourdough Bread Recipe - Soft, Chewy, and Homemade Perfection
This sourdough bread recipe is a favorite for its perfect balance of tangy flavor and a soft, chewy texture. Enjoy the charm of homemade sourdough with an easy, straightforward process, ideal for sandwiches or simply with butter!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 1 cup sourdough starter
- ½ cup corn oil
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 6 cups bread flour
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sourdough starter, oil, sugar, and salt. Stir until well blended.
- Gradually sift in the bread flour, mixing as you go to form a soft, sticky dough.
- Lightly grease the dough with oil and place it in a large, oiled bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
- Let the dough rise overnight in a warm spot. By morning, it should have doubled in size with a slightly bubbly surface.
- Grease two 8x4-inch loaf pans and set aside. Punch down the dough, knead it for 10 minutes on a floured surface, and divide it into two equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a loaf and transfer it to the prepared pans. Cover and let them rise until doubled (about 1-2 hours).
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaves for 40–45 minutes, or until the tops are a golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove from pans and cool on a wire rack. Let the bread cool completely before slicing—if you can wait that long!
Notes
Store baked loaves in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze slices individually for easy defrosting.