How to Make Sourdough Baguettes - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's something truly magical about the aroma of freshly baked bread. The warmth and earthy scent fills the air, making your mouth water in anticipation of the first bite. And when it comes to the perfect bread, few things can compare to the deliciousness of a crusty, chewy sourdough baguette.

Making sourdough baguettes at home may seem like a daunting task, but with the right techniques and a little bit of patience, you can create bakery-quality bread right in your own kitchen. Sou...

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup sourdough starter
  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed, divided
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons cornmeal, or as needed
  • cold water, as needed
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter, or as needed, divided

Information

  • Prep Time: 35 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Additional Time: 10 hrs
  • Total Time: 11 hrs 5 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 2 baguettes

  • Feed sourdough starter and let sit at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours.
  • Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl. Add 4 cups all-purpose flour, sourdough starter, sugar, and salt. Cover and let rise until double in size, about 1 hour.
  • Mix remaining 1 cup of flour with baking soda in another bowl. Stir mixture into dough slowly, adding just enough to make dough stiff. Knead dough, adding flour mixture as needed, until smooth and shiny. Shape into two baguettes and place on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Let dough rise again until double in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Brush tops of baguettes with cold water and make several gentle slashes along the tops of the loaves.
  • Place a small, oven-safe, pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven. Bake baguettes in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush each with melted butter. Continue baking until crisp, 3 to 5 minutes more.
  • Nutrition

    367 cal.

    • Total Fat: 3g
    • Saturated Fat: 1g
    • Cholesterol: 4mg
    • Sodium: 681mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 74g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 4g
    • Protein: 11g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 30mg
    • Iron: 5mg
    • Potassium: 183mg