Ingredients
- 600g filtered water, room temperature or slightly warm
- 300g ACTIVE sourdough starter
- 40–50g honey
- 20–25g fine sea salt
- 1,000g bread flour
Optional Add-ins:
- 40g olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 stick (about 113g) cold butter, grated (for a croissant loaf)
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup chocolate chips + 1 cup dried fruit
- 2 cups dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, blueberries, pineapple, or figs)
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the water, starter, honey, and salt. Stir until mostly dissolved. Add the flour and mix until no dry bits remain. The dough will be shaggy.
- Complete one set of stretch and folds.
- Cover and let the dough rest for 1 hour to allow the flour to fully hydrate.
Bulk Fermentation & Folds:
Cover the dough and let it ferment at room temperature (72–76°F / 22–24°C) for 4–6 hours. During this time, perform 3–4 sets of stretch and folds every 30–45 minutes during the first half of bulk fermentation.
Pre-shape & Rest:
Lightly flour your work surface. Turn out the dough, gently shape it into a round or oval, and let it rest uncovered for 20–30 minutes.
Final Shaping & Proofing:
Shape the dough into your desired loaf and transfer to a floured banneton or lined bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight (8–16 hours) for cold proofing.
Bake:
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) with a Dutch oven inside. Once preheated, carefully transfer your dough into the hot Dutch oven, score the top, cover, and bake:
20 minutes covered
20–25 minutes uncovered, until deep golden brown.
Cool:
Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing.
Notes:
Honey helps with browning and adds a touch of sweetness.
The optional butter enriches the dough and creates a softer crumb.
Oil softens the crust slightly.
Dried fruit adds a lovely burst of sweetness—perfect for breakfast or snacking.