Artisan Sourdough French Bread
Experience the delightful aroma and crusty texture of home-baked Artisan Sourdough French Bread. This recipe blends the tangy flavor of a traditional sourdough starter with savory garlic and rich Parmesan cheese to create a truly irresistible loaf. Perfect for sandwiches, toasting, or enjoying fresh with butter, this recipe yields two beautiful loaves that you can proudly share with family and friends. With a straightforward process and a few simple ingredients, you'll enjoy the satisfaction of creating your own artisan bread at home.
8
Servings
300
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Warm Water
3/4 cup (Dissolved with yeast)
Active Dry Yeast
2 1/4 teaspoons (Dissolved in warm water)
Olive Oil
1 tablespoon (For mixing and coating)
Salt
1 teaspoon (For flavor)
Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon (For flavor)
Proofed Sourdough Starter
2 cups (At room temperature)
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 cup (For adding savory flavor)
Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
4 cups (For kneading into dough)
Yellow Cornmeal
As needed (For sprinkling on baking sheet)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast in 3/4 cup of warm water. Allow it to sit for 5-8 minutes until frothy.
2
Once the yeast is activated, add 2 cups of proofed sourdough starter, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese to the bowl.
3
Using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer, mix the ingredients until they are well combined.
4
Switch to the dough hook and slowly incorporate 4 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour, kneading for 7-8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add more flour if necessary.
5
Lightly oil a large bowl with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the bowl, turning it to coat the entire surface.
6
Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size (about 1 hour).
7
Once risen, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently punch it down to release the air.
8
Divide the dough in half and shape each half into an oval about 9x12 inches. Starting from the bottom edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, pinching the seam to seal.
9
Prepare a baking sheet by spraying it with cooking spray and sprinkling a layer of yellow cornmeal over the surface.
10
Place the loaves seam side down on the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife or razor blade, make several shallow slashes on top of the loaves to allow steam to escape.
11
Cover the loaves with a towel and allow them to rise until nearly doubled in size (about 30-40 minutes).
12
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Just before baking, spray the sides of the oven and the loaves with water to create steam.
13
Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
14
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on wire racks before slicing.
Nutrition Information
2.5g
Fat
55g
Carbs
10g
Protein
2g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Artisan Sourdough French Bread?
It is a crusty, home-baked bread that blends the tangy flavor of traditional sourdough with savory garlic and rich Parmesan cheese.
How many loaves does this recipe make?
This recipe yields two beautiful artisan loaves.
How many servings are in the recipe?
The recipe is calculated for approximately 8 servings.
What type of yeast is required for this bread?
You will need 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast.
How long should the yeast sit in the water?
Allow the yeast to sit in 3/4 cup of warm water for 5-8 minutes until it becomes frothy.
How much sourdough starter is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of proofed sourdough starter at room temperature.
Is there any oil in the dough?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of olive oil is used in the mixing process.
What kind of flour is best for this recipe?
The recipe uses 4 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour.
What gives this bread its savory flavor?
The savory flavor comes from 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese.
Which mixer attachments are used?
Start with the paddle attachment to combine ingredients, then switch to the dough hook for kneading.
How long should I knead the dough?
Knead the dough with a dough hook for 7-8 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
How long is the first rising period?
Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
What is the second rising time?
After shaping, allow the loaves to rise for another 30-40 minutes until nearly doubled.
How do I shape the loaves?
Divide the dough in half, shape each into a 9x12 inch oval, and roll tightly into a log, pinching the seam.
How do I prepare the baking sheet?
Spray the sheet with cooking spray and sprinkle a layer of yellow cornmeal over the surface.
Why do I need to slash the top of the bread?
Shallow slashes allow steam to escape during the baking process.
What temperature should the oven be?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How do I create steam in the oven?
Just before baking, spray the sides of the oven and the loaves with water.
How long does the bread bake?
The bread should bake for 20-25 minutes.
How can I tell if the bread is done?
The crust should be golden brown, and the loaves should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Should the bread cool before slicing?
Yes, let the bread cool on wire racks before slicing to ensure the best texture.
What are the calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
How much protein is in this bread?
There are 10g of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of the bread?
The bread contains 2.5g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 55g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does the bread contain fiber?
Yes, each serving contains 2g of fiber.
What are the best uses for this bread?
It is perfect for sandwiches, toasting, or eating fresh with butter.
Is cornmeal required for the recipe?
Yes, yellow cornmeal is used to sprinkle on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and add texture.
Can I add more flour during kneading?
Yes, you can add more flour if necessary until the dough is smooth and elastic.
What should I do with the dough after the first rise?
Turn it onto a floured surface and gently punch it down to release the air before shaping.