My children fondly refer to me as the bread zombie because I often get up in the middle of the night to have a piece of toast. And for me, this sourdough bread really brings on the serotonin! So if you enjoy eating excellent bread, try out this recipe. But be warned! It might bring out the zombie in you!
optional: KitchenAid stand mixer with dough hook attachment
Ingredients
For the levain:
3ouncessourdough starter (fed) which is approximately 3 tablespoons
1cupall-purpose flour
½cupwaterlukewarm
To make the bread:
1tablespoon sugar
2teaspoonssalt
2teaspoonsyeast
⅓cupskim milk powder
1½cupswaterlukewarm
5cupsall-purpose flourif the dough is too sticky you can add up to ¼ cup additional flour
Instructions
The first day make the levain:
The evening before the day you plan on baking bread combine the starter, flour and water. (I like to use a glass 4-cup measure.) Stir to combine and then cover with a tea towel and leave overnight.
The next day:
If using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the levain, sugar, salt, yeast, skim milk powder, water and flour in the bowl. Mix on low until combined and then turn the mixer on to medium and knead for 5-7 minutes.
If using your hands to knead, combine the levain, sugar, salt, yeast, skim milk powder, water and flour in a large bowl. Stir with a large spoon until combined and then knead with your hands for 5-7 minutes.
Put in a lightly greased bowl (I use butter) and cover with a tea towel. Let rise for 1½-2 hours or until close to doubled in size. (The size of the rise depends on many things. For instance, if your house is cool it may take longer.)
Cut the dough in half and gently form into a log and put into the prepared loaf pans. Cover with a tea towel and let rise for 1-2 hours. The bread should rise over the rim of the loaf pan, ideally about 1". Note: the height of the rise will vary from just over the rim to 1".
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Make two deep slashes in the tops of each loaf of bread.
Bake for 30-35 minutes. The loaves should be golden brown. Remove from the oven, tip the loaves onto their sides and let cool 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool.
Serve warm or cold with a generous spread of butter.