Low-Key happiness

My Go-To Easy Sourdough Bread Recipe

(Super forgiving—almost perfect every time, even on chaotic mom days! 😂)

Ingredients (makes 1 loaf):

-500 g flour (I use AP flour)

-11 g salt

-300 g water (warm, like bathwater—not boiling)

-165 g active sourdough starter (a bit more or less? Still turns out great!)

Steps with flexibility!

•In a big bowl, weigh your flour and salt. Give it a quick stir—I’ve never had issues adding salt right away.

•Pour the warm water into a measuring cup, add your starter straight in, and stir to combine. Check for float test!

•Pour the wet into the dry and mix until all flour is incorporated (it’ll look shaggy and flaky—that’s perfect!).

 

•Cover with a tea towel or paper towel and let it rest 20 minutes.

•Wet your hands a little (prevents sticking), then do stretch-and-folds: grab one side, stretch up and fold over the center. Rotate the bowl and repeat for a couple minutes. 

•Cover and rest 20 minutes. Repeat for 3–6 sets total (I aim for 4, but sometimes it’s just 2 if the kids need me) 

•When it’s ready (puffy and jiggly), turn it out, gently stretch and flatten, then roll it up tightly like swaddling a little baby. 💕

•Line a bowl with heavily floured paper towel (my favorite hack—absorbs extra moisture, no sticking, and easy cleanup!).

 •Pop the dough in seam-side up, cover, and let it proof 4–8 hours at room temp (trial and error here—I’ve over-proofed and under-proofed plenty, but they all become yummy breadcrumbs or croutons. Nothing wasted!).

•Preheat oven to 475°F with your Dutch oven inside.

•Flip your dough onto parchment, score a deep X on top (lets steam escape nicely), and transfer to the Dutch oven.

•Bake lid on for 22 minutes, then lid off for 20 more. Cool completely before slicing.

Mom tips!

*It takes time to “read” the dough—don’t give up! Every loaf teaches you something.

*Heading to bed early or kids’ bedtime chaos? Pop it in the fridge overnight to slow the rise. Add plastic wrap + a sprinkle of flour so it doesn’t dry out or stick.

*Watch your dough—a warm kitchen speeds things up, a chilly one slows it down.

*Involve the littles: Tear off a small piece for your toddler to play with. Bake their mini ball in a muffin tin—they’ll be so proud of “their” bread! 🍞

*Line the bottom of your Dutch oven with raw rice(parchment over top) this will keep your bread from burning underneath.

You’ve got this! Fresh bread + messy kitchen = best kind of day. Share your loaves in the comments—I love seeing them! ❤️