Sourdough Bread

Total Time: 12 hrs 35 mins Preparation Time: 12 hrs Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough starter
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water (like bath water warm, not tepid)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 6 cups plain flour, maybe a little more
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for oiling bowl

Recipe

• 1 mix starter, warm water, salt and sugar.
• 2 add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing well until dough pulls away from sides and is taken up into a lump. flours vary greatly so this may take more than 6 cups.
• 3 turn onto floured surface and knead until texture is elastic. about 10 minutes.
• 4 place 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl and coat bottom and sides.
• 5 place dough in oiled bowl and turn over to coat all sides of dough.
• 6 then cover with a clean cloth or dish towel and let rise in a warm place 8-10 hours or overnight.(i often use a cold oven with just a pilot for this and sour dough is slower to rise than regular yeast bread).
• 7 punch down dough, then divide into 3 greased loaf baking pans or greased round cake pans, and set on counter to rise again 4-6 hours.
• 8 bake in a preheated 350 degrees f. oven for 25-35 minutes. cool completely before slicing. this bread can be frozen after baking for future use.