Instructions
Let's learn how to make a sourdough starter and then bake a delicious loaf of sourdough bread! Follow the steps and answer the questions to complete your worksheet.
Step 1: Making the Sourdough Starter
To create a sourdough starter, you will need:
- Whole wheat flour
- Water
- A jar or container
Mix 1 cup of whole wheat flour with 1/2 cup of water in a jar. Stir it until smooth. Cover it loosely with a cloth and let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 days.
Question 1: Why do we cover the jar loosely?
Step 2: Feeding the Starter
After 1-2 days, you should see bubbles. This means your starter is alive! Feed it by adding 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup of water every day.
Question 2: What does a bubbly starter look like?
Step 3: Making the Sourdough Bread
Once your starter is bubbly and active after about 5-7 days, you can make sourdough bread! You will need:
- 1 cup of sourdough starter
- 1 1/2 cups of warm water
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until a dough forms. Then knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth.
Question 3: What does kneading the dough do?
Step 4: Rising Time
Put the dough in a greased bowl and cover it. Let it rise for 4-6 hours, or until it's doubled in size.
Question 4: How can you tell when the dough has doubled in size?
Step 5: Shaping and Baking
Once the dough has risen, shape it into a loaf. Let it rest for another hour, then bake it in a preheated oven at 450°F (230°C) for about 30-35 minutes.
Question 5: What do you think the bread will smell like while it’s baking?
Final Reflection
Congratulations! You've made sourdough starter and baked a loaf of bread. What was your favorite part of the process?