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High Hydration Sourdough Bread

High Hydration Sourdough Bread Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 179

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g bread flour
  • 100 g whole wheat flour
  • 400 g water (room temperature)
  • 100 g active sourdough starter (100% hydration)
  • 10 g fine sea salt

Method
 

  1. Mix bread flour, whole wheat flour, and 350 g water. Cover and rest 30 minutes for autolyse.
  2. Stir in starter, remaining 50 g water, and salt until smooth.
  3. Perform 4 sets of stretch and folds at 30-minute intervals over 2 hours, covering the bowl between sets.
  4. Cover and refrigerate 12 to 16 hours for a cold bulk ferment.
  5. Turn dough onto a floured surface, preshape into a round, and bench rest 30 minutes.
  6. Shape tightly into a boule, place seam-side up in a proofing basket, and cold proof 1 to 2 hours while preheating.
  7. Preheat oven with Dutch oven inside to 500°F for 45 minutes.
  8. Score the dough deeply at a 45-degree angle and bake covered at 500°F for 30 minutes.
  9. Uncover, reduce heat to 450°F, and bake 20 to 25 minutes until deep amber and hollow-sounding when tapped.
  10. Cool on a wire rack at least 1 hour before slicing.

Notes

The overnight fridge ferment is flexible; leave the dough 12 to 16 hours depending on your schedule and starter vigor. If your kitchen is very warm, shape the loaf straight from the fridge to keep it manageable. The bread freezes well whole or sliced for up to 2 months.