Basic Sourdough Bread

This makes a fabulous loaf of bread! Easy and simple with wonderful results! I used my bread machine's dough cycle for the kneading. I mixed the melted butter (actually I used margarine), milk, salt and sugar together in a measuring cup and then added to my starter and gently stirred it well. Then I put the flour in my machine and turned it on and then gradually added the liquid. The ratio of liquid to flour is perfect! My dough was elastic and smooth. Then I placed the dough in my glass loaf pan that I had sprayed with Pam and covered it with a clean dish towel to rise. It took about 2 hours to rise about 1 1/2" about the rim of the pan. Then I baked it! There is no better aroma than baking bread! The loaf has a moist spongy center and a crusty outside. Perfect! Thanks, Donna M!

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This is a wonderful recipe. I'd give it six stars if I could. I am a novice at sourdough, and I did the dough in my bread machine and baked it in the oven (ok..I am lazy). It was terrific, very moist and crusty and deleciously sour. Thanks for the recipe. I wlll definitely make it over and over again.

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I am so glad I caught you (or you caught me) online. I would have over-cooked it. 38 minutes and it's done...I got the heel! I couldn't wait for morning. It's beautiful...it's delicious...what else can I say! I know my husband's going to like this one too; it is very mild. Absolutely no yeast added and the texture is gorgeous. I baked it in a clear glass pyrex loaf pan. It has ever the slightest tang of sourdough (used the Red Sea sourdough starter)...ummm ummm ummm! Definitely a winner. Thanks Donna for sharing this!

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EXCELLENT, I don't have a bread machine, but didn't need one...omg, the AROMA that so filled the house, and then that was NOTHING...taste was truly WONDERFUL, Thank you Donna, I loved this and afraid we're now "hooked" on sourdough. But thank-you, nobody is complaining! Now I can't wait to try your other sourdough recipes!

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Have made this bread several times and have found that it is even better when the dough sits in the fridge overnight (per the 'zaar sourdough forum). Also per the forum, I put a pan of water in the oven with the bread to keep it moist. Those two fantastic 'zaar tips make this bread the perfect loaf of sourdough. 06/01/10: The bread is still in the oven and the house smells yummy! Used the starter from Recipe#342270 #342270 to make the bread. It rose very quickly and looks just perfect. Thank you for posting!

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This recipe has been making excellent bread for me. I am making it for the 4th time today. The first time, I followed the directions exactly, and actually forgot it in the oven while the loaf was rising (I leave it in the oven with the light on). I just punched it down & tried again, and it worked well. The second time, I tried it with the bread machine on the dough setting. I took it out to knead it by hand after the dough setting was complete, and finished it in a glass (pyrex) loaf dish sprayed with Olive Oil (store brand Pam-type spray) in the oven. Again, it worked well, and was delicious. The third time, I used the bread machine again, but this time used olive oil instead of butter. The olive oil worked great as a substitute. I just find it easier & hope that it's healthier to use than butter... Each time, the bread has been crusty & chewy on the outside, rises well, and is done nicely on the inside. As a side note, I found my starter on the internet -- the first time it failed, but I persisted, and next time, I kept it going for an entire week on the kitchen counter until it was nice & bubbly and had a sour dough smell to it. I covered it with press & seal with holes poked in it & fed it every day during the week.... Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. It has me HOOKED on baking sour dough bread now!

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Thanks for the great bread recipe. Very easy and one of the best sourdough breads I have ever made. The only thing I did different, is that I used buttermilk instead of the regular milk. Very, Very, Good !!!!

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This was my maiden voyage into the world of sourdough. Donna was very helpful (and extremely patient!) all the way through and my bread turned out perfect! The crumb was light and moist, and brushing melted butter on the top crust when it came out of the oven softened the crust, making it perfect for sandwiches. I retarded the dough in the fridge for about 12 hours then shaped my loaves and let them rise at room temperature. The taste that resulted from retarding the dough this way was sensational! Thanks, Donna!

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Well, I found out several very important things during this recipe. #1 My starter is strong enough it does not need to sit overnight to raise anymore. #2 My starter is definately SOUR now. #3 This is THE best and MOST simple recipe for sourdough bread listed on the internet!!! The simplicity is almost too scary! I did everything exact per instructions; EXCEPT when patting to a 1" oval, I smeared softened butter (the real stuff)on BOTH sides of the dough, then rolled into a loaf. Although my dough fell before baking (MY FAULT - overnight was too long to raise & I forgot to slash it!) #4 End result - Nice size loaf, and 8 mini-loafs. 3 hours after taking out of oven...there is 1 mini-loaf, and 1/2 of large loaf left. My mother, daughter, are here with me, and a friend just "happened" to stop by for morning coffee....after a chat last night that today was baking day.... Give this recipe a Lifetime Achievement Award! It will be a life time project here!

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This is likable breads. Very simple to take. I give five star rating for this recipe. If possible i give more star.

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Fantastic sourdough bread! This made the most gorgeously dense-yet-light loaf of bread with a crisp crust and moist interior. I sliced it and made the most wonderful grilled ham and cheese I've ever tasted.

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This is a fantastic bread. Used my bread machine on basic bake cycle. EASY and soooooo gooooood. Thanks for this recipe!!!

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This was so easy to make and tasted good. Thanks for the recipe!!

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Excellent bread! I used my new sourdough starter and was very happy with the results.

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This is a fabulous bread. I used 1 cup whole wheat flour and the balance of unbleached white. I have a whole wheat starter. The texture of the bread was delightful as was the appearance of the loaf. The taste was perfect for us and it sliced better than any bread I have made. Makes great sandwiches and is also very good toasted. Thanks Donna M. Will make this many more times. Terra

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I'm never buying sourdough again! It was wonderful to have warm,fresh,tender,crusty bread. I made this using a sourdough starter I found here on zaar. It made my house smell so good. Thanks for posting this it's a real keeper.

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Excellent bread. Easy to make, once cooled it slices nicely. Can't wait to make when fresh tomatoes are in season, what a sandwhich that will be!!

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Really good recipe. I used it as a base to make raisin bread. If it weren't for Donna and duonyte, I wouldn't be making any bread much less sourdough. Thanks Donna.

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This is a great bread recipe. I've made it twice now. Once in a bread pan and latest as a round loaf. Both times it turned out wonderful. We like the bread pan better because it's easier to make sandwiches from. Thanks for sharing your recipe. I'll be making good use of it.

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