SOURDOUGH BREAD

Sourdough Bread image

This no-knead sourdough bread is delicious. It has a crisp crust and distinctive sourdough flavor from the "starter" yeast mixture you stir up in advance. I was surprised at how easy it is! -Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h5m

Yield 2 loaves.

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
3-1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°), divided
7 to 8 cups bread flour, divided
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
Cornmeal

Steps:

In a 4-qt. non-metallic bowl, dissolve yeast in 2 cups warm water; let stand 5 minutes. Stir in 2 cups flour until smooth. Cover loosely with a clean towel. Let stand in a warm place (80°to 90°) to ferment for 48 hours; do not stir. (The mixture will become bubbly and rise, have a "yeasty" sour aroma and change color from transparent yellow to gray over the course of 48 hours.) , Stir in milk powder, butter, sugar, salt, remaining water and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. (Do not knead.) Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours. , Heavily grease baking sheets and sprinkle with cornmeal. Gently punch dough down. Turn onto a well-floured surface; divide in half. (If baking loaves one at a time, cover and refrigerate half of dough. Proceed with shaping and second rise when oven is ready so shaped loaf can be baked immediately after the second rise.) , With floured hands, gently move the dough in a circular motion. Use friction from the counter to stretch the surface and create a smooth top and round loaf. Quickly and gently transfer to prepared pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°., With a sharp knife, make three diagonal slashes across tops of loaves. Immediately bake 10 minutes. Gently brush or spray loaves with cold water; bake 25-35 minutes longer or until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 120 calories, Fat 1g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 157mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.