Sourdough French Bread

Total Time Prep: 15 min. + rising Bake: 20 min.
Yield 2 loaves (10 piece each)
Test Kitchen Approved
This sourdough French bread recipe is so easy to follow that it will finally have timid bakers confidently making sourdough.

Ingredients

  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1-3/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 1/4 cup Sourdough Starter
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • CORNSTARCH WASH:
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the Sourdough Starter, oil, sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough additional flour to form a soft dough.
  2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead gently 20-30 times (dough will be slightly sticky). Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
  3. Preheat oven to 400°. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each into a 12x8-in. rectangle. Roll up jelly-roll style starting with a long side; pinch ends to seal. Place seam side down on 2 greased baking sheets; tuck ends under. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
  4. With a sharp knife, make 4 shallow diagonal slashes across top of each loaf. In a small saucepan, combine water and cornstarch. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened. Brush some over loaves.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes. Brush loaves with remaining cornstarch wash. Bake until lightly browned, 5-10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 116 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 237mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Since receiving the recipe for the Sourdough Starter, I've made this French bread countless times. In fact, one year I donated 2 dozen loaves for a benefit dinner! These loaves rival any found in stores and can be made with relative ease. — Delila George, Junction City, Oregon
Recipe Creator

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