Sourdough French Bread
This Sourdough French Bread recipe is part of my sourdough starter series. If you learn to make sourdough starters, you can make so many recipes that are literally no-fail. These loaves are crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. These are so easy to make because you already have the starter. In case you missed my post, How To Make A Sourdough Starter + Bread.
It’s so easy to make a sourdough starter. Use filtered water, not tap water, and the same type of flour and you will have success. I have many recipes I will be sharing using a sourdough starter. Please do not pay for a class to learn how to make it, it only uses two ingredients. We can do this!
Sourdough French Bread
Kitchen Items You May Need:
- Mixing Bowl or
- Kitchen Aid Mixer or Bosch Bread Mixer
- (cheapest place to buy the mixers is at Sam’s Club or Costco)
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- French Bread Pan or Cookie Sheet
- Quart Mason Jar and White Ball Lid
- Funnel
- Danish Whisk
- Dough Scraper
Sourdough French Bread
Step One
The first thing you need to do is bring your sourdough starter out of the refrigerator and place it on the counter until it reaches room temperature.
Step Two
Be ready to feed your sourdough starter after you mix up your French bread recipe. I have the instructions in the recipe below on how to feed it after you remove what you need for this recipe. Combine the sourdough starter, filtered water, honey, salt, and white bread flour in a large mixing bowl or bread mixer.
Step Three
Today, I used my Kitchen Aid 6-Quart stand mixer. Mix for about 3-5 minutes in your mixer, or longer if mixing by hand.
Step Four
Place the dough in a buttered bowl and cover with a wet towel or plastic wrap. I let it rise overnight for about 12 hours.
Step Five
You can see how beautiful the dough is, it’s ready to punch down and cut into three sections.
Step Six
You can use a baguette pan or a cookie sheet, either one works. Remember I used to work at a fancy kitchen store and I learned about these awesome pans. It’s a good idea to “cut” your bread dough with a dough scraper rather than pull the dough.
Step Seven
Please grease your pan before placing the rolled sections onto the pans. If you have a rolling pin, you can roll the dough out flat, and then roll it lengthwise tucking the open end towards the bottom of the pan. This way the smooth side of the loaf is facing upwards.
Step Eight
Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until double in size, about 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
Step Nine
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Remove the plastic wrap and make three slashes on each loaf, if desired. This gives them the French Bread look!
Finished Product
Be sure and use a serrated knife to slice your bread! Enjoy!
Sourdough French Bread Recipe
- 3/4 cup sourdough starter
- 1-1/4 cup filtered water (I use reverse osmosis water)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3-1/2 cups white flour (I use bread flour)
-
The first thing you need to do is bring your sourdough starter out of the refrigerator and place it on the counter until it reaches room temperature. Combine the sourdough starter, filtered water, honey, salt, and white bread flour in a large mixing bowl or bread mixer.
Today, I used my Kitchen Aid 6-Quart stand mixer. Mix for about 3-5 minutes in your mixer, or longer if mixing by hand. Place the dough in a buttered bowl and cover with a wet towel or plastic wrap. I let it rise overnight for about 12 hours.
Remove the plastic wrap to punch down the dough and cut it into three sections. It's a good idea to "cut" your bread dough with a dough scraper rather than pull the dough.
Grease your pan before placing the rolled sections onto it. You can use a baguette pan or a cookie sheet, either one works. If you use a rolling pin, you can roll the dough out flat, and then roll it lengthwise tucking the open end towards the bottom of the pan. This way the smooth side of the roll is facing upwards.
Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until double in size about, 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Remove the plastic wrap and make three slashes on each loaf, if desired. This gives them the French Bread look! Bake the loaves for about 15-20 minutes, depending on how large or small you make your loaves. I use a Thermapen if I have a question as to doneness. The temperature of the bread after baking should be 190 degrees.
Be sure and use a serrated knife to slice your bread! Enjoy!
-
***Feed your sourdough starter in a quart mason jar with l scant cup flour and 1/2 cup of filtered water. Stir until thoroughly mixed and place the jar on your countertop for 4-5 hours before placing the jar in the refrigerator.
Do I need a Thermometer to test the doneness of my bread?
I have been making all types of bread for over 50 years, but once in a while I “wonder” if the center of the bread is totally done. I have an instant thermometer I use, it’s called a Thermapen. But any instant thermometer will work. The temperature AFTER baking should be 190 degrees in the center of the loaf.
How do I store it after baking?
I store all of my bread in bread bags with ties. But I make a lot of bread and store a lot of bags in my pantry so I’m ready to go anytime. They are cheaper than the store-bought freezer bags. These are the ones I buy: BREAD BAGS and TIES
Can I freeze the dough?
I have never frozen the dough so I can’t recommend it. Having a sourdough starter makes life easier when you want a loaf of bread.
Can I freeze some of the baked loaves?
Absolutely, I froze two loaves in plastic bread bags after cooking them today, but any freezer bag will work.
Can I use gluten-free flour with this recipe?
I wish you could, but I even called King Arthur Flour Company and their 1:1 flour is only good for cakes, cookies, and sweet breads.
Final Word
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of helping Melissa Richardson (The Bread Geek), author of “The Art Of Baking With Natural Yeast,” teach a few classes in St. George, Utah.
She put herself through college making freshly ground whole wheat bread made with natural yeast (no commercial yeast). She has been a great friend for many years.
I learned how to make my own natural yeast from her. I learned how to make sourdough bread using a sourdough starter from Chef Brad. Life has been good to me and I know God wants me to teach the world how to make sourdough and natural yeast bread. Try this recipe soon, you’ll love it. We can do this, I promise. May God bless this world, Linda
This looks so fun and easy to make. Thanks for the step by step instructions. I’m going to make it this weekend.
Hi Alli, thank you for your kind words! I hope your family loves it as much as my family does! Linda
How delightful! Another sourdough recipe! I love making bread….I bake all my own bread now! Thanks to you!
Hi Judy, oh my gosh, you just made my day! Thank you so much for your kind words! Hugs from Southern Utah, Linda
Hi Linda,
Hugs right back from the Blue Ridge of Virginia! I bake your Whole Wheat & your Sourdough weekly, so nourishing & beautiful! The bread produced with the flour from my new grain mill is exceptional. Thank You for teaching!! Judy
Hi Judy, you are such a good friend, thank you! What grain mill did you buy? I LOVE hearing this! We can save so much money making our own bread and it fills the belly! Linda
Hi Linda,
I bought a Mockmill. It attaches to my kitchenaid mixer. This little gem is a workhorse. I have ground many types of ancient grains, rye, & wheat. I even make cracked grain cereal. More fun than a girl should be allowed to have!
Hi Judy!! SQUEAL! How exciting you can attach it to your Kitchen Aid! I love it! I have heard about this one but have never tried one! Linda
Judy, P.S. I have so much fun in the kitchen! Isn’t it awesome we love to cook and bake from scratch! Linda
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I have a great sourdough start that is over 150 years old from the Yukon gold rush and I’m always looking for new recipes. I also have bread forms so this recipe will be a great chance to finally try them out. We love sourdough! Looking forward to more of your sourdough recipes!
Hi Kay, I wish more people would try making a sourdough starter! Yours would be a treasure for sure! There are so many things you can make with it! The pizza is awesome! Linda
This looks amazing! I am definitely going to try this recipe!❤️
Where did you buy that pan?! I need one!!
Hi Camille, I have a link for the pan in my post. The one I have I purchased when I taught a kitchen store! Linda
Linda, I love french bread! Yum. Have you ever used a fabric bread bag? I found the instructions on line, but don’t know how it’ll work.
Hi Deborah, thank you for the 5 stars! This is so easy to make!! I have not tried the fabric bread bags, because I buy like 2000-3000 bread bags at a time. I also purchase the bag ties. I should be more “green” but my plastic bags work. Let me know if you like them if you choose to buy them. Linda
I did make a cotton fabric one. It worked for my homemade bread. The bread doesn’t last too long. Hubby eats it up almost as fast as I can make it. LOL
Hi Deborah, if you eat it fast that would work! LOL! Linda
Hi Linda,
It is such a joy to be connected to like-minded people! We have been all about preparedness for many years and our family has lived that lifestyle since well before I was born (I’m 74). It’s a mindset. Thank you for your love of teaching and your willingness to share your knowledge with young folks who are new to the idea. Blessings on thee and thine.
Hi Ceceila, I’m 71, so yes it is awesome to be connected to like-minded people. Thank you for your kind words, it’s people like you who keep me going. I have been truly blessed with the people in our group who comment. It really is a blessing to learn new things from others. Thanks again, Linda
Fabulous taste and an easy to follow recipe. Thank you!
Hi Tiffany, I’m so glad you liked the recipe! Linda
Love this recipe. I love to make homemade bread. While my house is in disarray as my husband makes repairs (I hope he gets the living/dining room done before thanksgiving.). I can’t do much but use frozen dough to make the rolls this year
Hi Jackie, thank you for the 5 stars, my sweet friend! Some years frozen dough has to work! Add some good butter and jam we’re good to go! I wish I lived closer I would deliver some while you remodel!! Fingers crossed it gets done before Thanksgiving!! Linda
how do i make sour dough bread starter
Hi Alice, thank you for the 5 stars, my friend. This post will show you step-by-step instructions. Linda https://www.foodstoragemoms.com/sourdough-starter/