Best Sourdough Bread Starter Recipes

AMISH SOURDOUGH BREAD/STARTER

Steps:

• For starter, dissolve yeast in warm water. Mix with 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar or honey and 1 cup milk (lowfat or 2% milk is OK). This is day 1 of 10 day prep. Use a plastic or glass container.
• Leave starter on the counter covered, and stir daily.
• On the 5th day, add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar or honey (or combination) and 1 cup milk. This is called 'feeding' the starter.
• Continue to stir daily. On the 10th day, add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar or honey and 1 cup milk. Starter can now be divided and given away or frozen. I usually wait a day to bake after feeding starter.
• If you are not baking the next day, you can refrigerate starter, but bring to room temperature on baking day, or the night before, if frozen.
• If you receive a cup of starter as a gift, feed immediately and wait a day before baking, to give starter a chance to ferment, at room temperature.
• To bake: Place 1 cup of starter in bowl of mixer. Put mixer on slow speed using a dough hook, and add all ingredients. All ingredients should be room temperature.
• Add 2-1/4 tsps. yeast, 1 cup water, 1 cup milk, 2 tbls honey, 1/4 cup oil, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 2 eggs, 2 tsps. salt, approximately 6-7 cups white flour. You can add more whole wheat and less white, as preferred.
• Knead dough for 10 minute in mixer. Dough should be slightly sticky, but smooth and shiny and should mostly all be on the dough hook when done.
• Remove dough from mixer bowl to a floured board and knead by hand two minutes, shaping into a large ball. Oil inside of mixer bowl.
• Place dough back into bowl, swirl around in oil, and turn over so all sides are oiled. Press down, cover with a clean towel and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled.
• Punch down and divide into two loaves. At this point, 1 ball can be made into 12-14 rolls. Divide into even balls, (if you have a scale, about 2-1/2 oz. each) place on greased cookie sheet, pressing down to a flat disc. Brush tops with beaten egg white mixed with 1 tbl water and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, if desired.
• Cover and allow to rise for 1 hour, or until double in size.
• Preheat oven to 375° and bake rolls for 15-20 minutes, until browned.
• For loaf of bread flatten 1/2 of dough into a rectangle, to remove bubbles and roll up to a log. Roll two sides under and place log seam side down in greased loaf pan. Brush top with egg white and sprinkle with seeds. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes. Remove from pan and thump bottom of loaf. It should sound hollow when done.
• You can bake 1/2 of dough and shape other half into a loaf, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze. When you are ready to bake, remove from wrap and place in greased loaf pan. Cover and allow to defrost and rise in a warm spot. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with seeds. Bake as usual.

POTATO FLAKE SOURDOUGH STARTER AND BREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• 1. First Time Starter Directions: Mix water, sugar, yeast, and potato flakes. Let ferment on counter for two days. Then feed with starter feeder (below). If you get starter from someone else, you can omit this step.
• 2. Starter Feeder: Combine water, sugar, and potato flakes. Add to starter. Let stand on countertop 8-12 hours, until bubbly. Refrigerate 3 to 5 days, then make bread.
• 3. After using 1 cup of the starter for dough, pour one cup back into container and refrigerate. Discard any other starter or give to friends. Store starter in refrigerator.
• 4. When you are ready to make more bread or every 3 to 5 days add starter feeder mix again. Stir well and leave on the counter overnight or all day (about 12 hours).
• 5. To Make Bread: Add flour, salt, sugar, oil, and water to starter. Mix well. Knead on a floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes. Put dough into a greased bowl. Cover with a wet dish towel and let it rise in a warm place overnight or all day (about 12 hours). Punch down. Knead on a floured surface to get any air bubbles out. Spray 3 loaf pans with cooking spray and divide dough approximately equal into the 3 pans (shaping into loaf form). Let rise 6 to 8 hours, covered loosely. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25 to 30 minutes.
• 6. Heat a cup of water in the microwave, then with the microwave off, put the dough in there with the steamy water. Works especially well in the winter when it might be hard to find a warm place for the dough to rise.

SOURDOUGH PANCAKES (AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD STARTER)

Steps:

• Beat the egg, then add in wet ingredients.
• Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well.
• If batter seems too thick, add more milk 1 Tbsp at a time until desired consistency.
• Preheat griddle pan to med-high, spray with non-stick cooking spray and pour batter onto griddle using 1/4 cup of batter per pancake.
• Once pancake looks set around the edges and a few bubbles are coming up thru the middle of the pancake, turn it over and cook another minute or two until done.
• Serve hot with butter.

SOURDOUGH STARTER AND SOURDOUGH RYE BREAD

Steps:

• Make the starter:.
• Put the flour into a large bowl and stir in yeast. Make a well, pour in the water and mix.
• Cover tightly and leave at room temperature for 2 days. Or you could leave the starter in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Make the sponge:.
• Put the rye flour into a large bowl, add 2 cups of sourdough starter and the water, and stir to mix. Cover tightly and leave at room temperature for 8 hours or chill in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Make the bread:.
• Put the flour into a bowl, add the sponge mixture , yeast, measured water, caraway seeds(if using), and salt, and mix to a soft and slightly sticky dough.
• Turn the dough into a large ungreased bowl, sprinkle the top with flour, cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap. Leave in a warm place to rise for about 2 hours, until doubled in size.
• Lightly sprinkle 2 baking sheets with cornmeal. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and punch down with your fist. Knead for 3-4 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Halve the dough and form each half into a round. Score the tops with a sharp knife.
• Place on the baking sheets, cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap, and leave in a warm place to rise for 45 minutes or until they have doubled in size.
• Place loaves in a 425*F. oven. Fill a roasting pan with boiling water and place at the bottom of the oven. Bake the loaves for about 35 minutes, until they are lightly browned. Tap the bottoms to see if the loaves are cooked; they should sound hollow. Leave to cool on wire racks. Enjoy!

AMISH SOURDOUGH CINNAMON BREAD STARTER AND BREAD INSTRUCTIONS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water for about 10 minutes. Stir well.
• In a 2 quart glass or plastic container, combine 1 cup sifted flour and 1 cup sugar.
• Mix thoroughly or the flour will get lumpy when you add the milk.
• Slowly stir in warm milk and dissolved yeast mixture.
• Loosely cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap.
• The mixture will get bubbly. Consider this Day 1 of the cycle, or the day you receive the starter.
• For the next 10 days handle starter according to the instructions below for Amish Friendship Bread.
• Day 1: Do nothing: refer to date on bag should be day 10 of mix.
• Day 2: Mush the bag.
• Day 3: Mush the bag.
• Day 4: Mush the bag.
• Day 5: Mush the bag.
• Day 6: Add to the bag- 1 c plain flour, 1 c sugar, 1 c milk, and mush well.
• Day 7: mush the bag.
• Day 8: mush the bag.
• Day 9: Mush the bag.
• Day 10: follow instructions below--.
• Pour the entire contents of the bag into a large metal bowl.
• add 1 1/2 cups plain flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 c milk. mix well.
• lable four ziploc bags with date and Day 1.
• fill each of the four bags with 1 cup of batter. (these are the starter bags to give out to friends). If you don't keep one for yourself you will have to wait until someone gives you a starter batter.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• to your remaining batter you need to add the bread making ingredients.
• grease bottom and sides sides of 2 large loaf pans or spray with pam butter flavor or bakers joy.
• mix pan coating mix and dust the insides of each pan with it coating sides and bottom of each pan well.
• pour batter evenly into the 2 loaf pans and sprinkle any remaining dusting mix on the top of the batter.
• bake approximately 1 hour until toothpick comes out clean. cool until bread loosens from the pan easily. turn onto serving dish or wire rack.

SOURDOUGH BREAD STARTER

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water, rest for ten minutes.
• Mix in flour, sugar& remaining water.
• Allow to stand, loosely covered, in a warm place for 3 or 4 days. Use a large (preferably ceramic) bowl as it will rise considerably.
• Every time the batter is used to make a product set aside 1 cup to be used as a"starter" for another batch.
• Keep covered in the fridge (a pint jar works nicely).
• To make it into a basic batter again, add another 2 cups flour& 2 cups warm water and allow to stand at room temp overnight It is now ready to use, but again reserve a cup of the starter.

RYE SOURDOUGH STARTER AND BREAD

Steps:

• Starter:.
• Day 1: In a 1 quart jar with a lid mix 100 g rye flour with 100 ml lukewarm water. Stir well to completely mix. Don't mind if it seems not to be enough water and the dough is sticky. Just mix well to have a homogenous dough.
• Close the lid of the jar loosely and let stand for 24 hours at room temperature, maybe not in the coolest room of the house --.
• Day 2: Stir the starter well, close the lid again and let stand for another 24 hours.
• Day 3: Stir in 100 g finely ground whole rye flour and 100 ml lukewarm water, cover again and let stand for another 24 hours.
• Open the jar and check the smell: DON'T stick your nose into the jar! I did that with my first attempt and nearly burnt off my mucosa with the cloud of acetic acid that evaporated from the vinegar starter I produced -- So, open the jar and carefully check the smell. If it doesn't sting but smell pleasantly sour, proceed. The colour of the starter should be greyish brown.
• Bread:.
• Place the flour in a large bowl, make a well and fill the sourdough starter into the well. Hold back about 2 tablespoons of the starter, put it into a glass jar, tightly close the lid and keep the jar in the refridgerator. It will not rise while in the fridge nor produce gas, so don't be afraid of tightening the lid.
• Mix the starter with some of the flour, then add the salt and water and knead for about 15 minutes. The dough is very heavy, so most machines give in and collaps. I always kneaded by hand on a floured surface until the dough was smooth.
• Form a ball and dust with flour, cover and let rest for 2 hours.
• On a dusted surface, knead lightly, form an oval loaf, cover and let rest for another hour.
• Preheat oven to 250 degrees Celsius (220 fan assisted).
• Place bread on a baking tray layered with nonstick parchment paper, prick bread with a fork in a regular pattern all over and brush with water.
• Place an ovenproof bowl with hot water on the bottom of the oven, then slip the baking tray into the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes reduce heat to 200 degrees Celsius (180 fan assisted), continue baking for 30 minutes.
• Put off the oven after 30 minutes, but don't open yet. Let the bread rest.
• for another 15 minutes in the hot oven.
• Take it out and knock at the bottom of the bread. It should sound hollow.
• Let completely cool on a wire rack.
• You need not keep the bread in the fridge.
• If you use the starter for the first time, it works better if you add some yeast to the bread dough because the fresh starter is not very strong.
• The starter which you hold back will be strong enough without adding yeast if you feed it again for 3 days like described above.

DAWSON CITY SOURDOUGH STARTER AND SOURDOUGH BREAD

Steps:

• STARTER:.
• Mix equal amounts flour and blood-warm water in a container larger enough for the mixture to double. The container should be glass or crockery. Do not screw the lid on tight; the gases will need to escape. (A plastic container could also be used, just don't fit the lid on tight.)
• Place the container in a warm spot for 2 or 3 days, until it has started to bubble and become smooth. Yes, you're basically waiting for it to go bad! A layer of alcohol - yes, alcohol - will develop on top; stir this down before using. The more potent your sourdough, the more alcohol you'll get, so be proud: you are making yeast, and it will smell like it! If it grows green mold, you can scoop it out or stir it in, it won't hurt you. However, if it turns orange, throw it away and start over.
• Replenish your starter each time you use it, or once a week. Remember: it is a living thing! You have to feed it regularly. If you don't use it, take out one cupful and replace with ½ cup of flour and ½ cup of water.
• Keep the starter on a warm shelf. If you are not going to use it, store it in the fridge, but remove it a day before you want to use it so it will become active again. When you use your sourdough, replace what you took out with 1/2 cup of blood-warm water and 1/2 cup of flour.
• BREAD:.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Make a well in the center, and add the sourdough starter, egg, oil and warm water. Stir together and add more water or flour as necessary to form a pancake batter-like consistency. Cover with greased waxed paper and a towel and set in a warm place to rise.
• When doubled and all bubbly, mix in enough flour (about 4 cups) to enable it to be kneaded into a smooth elastic ball. Let this rise again until doubled, about 4 hours, and then punch down and shape into loaves or biscuits.
• Let this rise again until doubled and then bake in a 400°F (200°C) oven for about 10 minutes and then turn the oven down to 300°F (150°C) and let bake 30-40 minutes longer until the loaves sound hollow when you knock on them. Brush the loaves with butter.
• [b]CREDITS:[/b].
• Recipe tested by Chef David Fairbanks, Algonquin College School of Hospitality and Tourism.
• This traditional recipe was submitted by Parks Canada staff at Dawson Historical Complex National Historic Site.

(HERMAN STARTER) SOURDOUGH BANANA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 and grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan.
• Cream together margarine/butter and sugar; add egg and mix until blended.
• Stir in banana and Herman.
• Sift dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder, soda) into banana mixture and add nuts if desired. Stir just enough for the batter to come together; extra stirring will make it tougher.
• Pour into loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center. Cool thoroughly before slicing.

SOURDOUGH STARTER (FOR CLASSIC SOURDOUGH BREAD)

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in water in a large plastic container (gallon size works well). Add sugar. When yeast bubbles (about 10 minutes), stir in flour until you have a smooth paste.
• Cover loosely to allow gases to escape and place in a warm spot in your kitchen 2 to 3 days. The mixture should bubble and give off a sour odor. Stir starter once a day, making sure to stir in any crust that's formed. After this point, you can store starter in the refrigerator or leave it out in a cool, dark area of your kitchen.
• Feed starter by stirring in 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup water every day if you leave it out, or every few days if it's refrigerated; otherwise, it will become too acidic and eventually die.
• Once starter has grown a few weeks and has reached full strength, you can decrease feedings to once a week.
• If you don't use your starter regularly, it's going to get unruly and burst the bounds of it's container. Give some away to friends along with feeding and baking instructions.

SOURDOUGH STARTER AND SOURDOUGH BREAD

Steps:

• Day 1: mix 1/2 ounce flour (about 1 tbsp, packed) and 1 oz water (2 tbsp) in a pint jar. Cover with plastic wrap. (Do not cover tightly at any point in the process.) Stir well several times through the day.
• Day 2: no feeding, just stir whenever you think of it.
• Day 3: add 1 oz flour and 1 oz water (2 tbsp of each) and stir whenever you think of it.
• Day 4: Add 1 oz flour and 1/2 oz water. This now brings the flour and water amounts to a 50/50 ratio, or 100% hydration in bakers' parlance. Continue to stir as often as you think of it.
• Day 5: add 1 oz flour and 1 oz water (2 tbsp of each) and stir whenever you think of it.
• Day 6: add 1 oz flour and 1 oz water (2 tbsp of each) and stir whenever you think of it. By now, you should be seeing plenty of bubbles, but don't worry if you don't.
• Day 7: add 1 oz flour and 1 oz water (2 tbsp of each) and stir whenever you think of it. If you like your sourdough a little more sour, stir LESS often; the bacteria will only produce acid when deprived of oxygen.
• Day 8: add 1 oz flour and 1 oz water (2 tbsp of each) and stir whenever you think of it.
• Day 9: Assuming your starter is bubbling vigorously, you're ready for your first harvest! Remove 1/4 lb (4 oz, 1/2 c) of starter to a bowl, add 2 tbsp flour and 1 tbsp water, stir and cover with plastic wrap. Add the usual 1 oz flour and 1 oz water (2 tbsp of each) to the jar.
• Day 10: Feed starter again with 1 oz each flour and water. To make bread: Transfer prepared starter to the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook, then add bread flour and water. Mix on medium-low until elastic, about 5 minutes. Add salt and oil and mix until combined. Form into a ball and place into a oiled bowl. You can let it rise 2-3 hours and bake today, refrigerate overnight and bake tomorrow (let it come up to room temperature, 2 hours or so, before proceeding). Form into desired shape and let rise about 1 hour; slash top in desired pattern. Bake in preheated 350F oven. Bake about 40 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when thumped in the bottom. Cool completely before slicing.
• Day 11: if you continue to bake regularly, you can feed your starter every 1-2 days with 1oz each flour and water, then harvest 4 ounces to cook with. If you don't need to bake that often, refrigerate the starter after a last feeding. It will keep at least a month in the fridge, but can last up to 3 months with proper care. Bring up to room temperature, and feed as usual for 3 days before harvesting to bake.

RUSTIC SOURDOUGH BREAD/WITH STARTER RECIPE

Steps:

• 1. Starter:Pour the water into a 3- to 4-quart glass or ceramic container or bowl, and add dissolve the sugar or honey and the yeast in that order. Stir in the flour gradually. Cover the jar or bowl with a clean dishcloth and place it somewhere warm. By using a dishcloth instead of plastic wrap, you'll allow any wild yeast in the area to infiltrate and begin to work with the domestic yeast which itself is beginning to develop "wild" characteristics and flavors. The mixture will begin to bubble and brew almost immediately. Let it work anywhere from 2 to 5 days, stirring it about once a day as it will separate. When the bubbling has subsided and a yeasty, sour aroma has developed, stir your starter once more and refrigerate it until you are ready to use it. The starter should have the consistency of pancake batter. no metal! wood,glass or plastic bowls and or spoons for this batter as metal will break down the yeast and it will not work right.
• 2. you will want to feed the beast (as my children say) one 1/2 cup of flakes,and flour and 1/4 cup of warm water. mix well with a wooden or plastic spoon and separate the amount you will need and store the rest in a air tight none glass container(as this will breath and need room to expand). remember to release the air every day for the first few days as to insure no messes in the fridge from the beast getting out. let batter rest for 30min after feeding as not to over work the batter.
• 3. 1) Combine all of the ingredients, kneading to form a smooth dough. 2) Allow the dough to rise, in a covered bowl, until it's doubled in size, about 90 minutes. punch down and let sit 15 min to rest, 3) Gently divide the dough in half; it'll deflate somewhat. 4) Gently shape the dough into two oval loaves; or, for longer loaves, two 10" to 11" logs. Place the loaves on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise until very puffy, about 1 hour. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 425°F. 5) Spray the loaves with lukewarm water. 6) Make two fairly deep diagonal slashes in each; a serrated bread knife, wielded firmly, works well here. 7) Bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes, until it's a very deep golden brown. Remove it from the oven, and cool on a rack.
• 4. the crust is very hard. i found by brushing with warm water and butter before and during baking it softens the crust. remember to place three splits along top of loaves before baking other wise crust will crack and split . you can sprinkle dried onion or sesame seed on crust before baking. for add flavor. for a onion sourdough sprinkle 1/4 cup dehydrated onion in dough while mixing.

SOURDOUGH FRENCH BREAD - ABM (AMISH BREAD STARTER)

Steps:

• Place in bread maker in the order suggested by your ABM manufacturer (mine is a "Corner Bakery" and it is supposed to go in as written above.
• Cook on French Bread Setting on Light crust for best results.

DAWSON CITY SOURDOUGH STARTER AND SOURDOUGH BREAD

Steps:

• STARTER:
• Mix equal amounts flour and blood-warm water in a container larger enough for the mixture to double. The container should be glass or crockery. Do not screw the lid on tight; the gases will need to escape. A plastic container could also be used, just don't fit the lid on tight.
• Place the container in a warm spot for 2 or 3 days, until it has started to bubble and become smooth. Yes, you're basically waiting for it to go bad! A layer of alcohol - yes, alcohol - will develop on top; stir this down before using. The more potent your sourdough, the more alcohol you'll get, so be proud: you are making yeast, and it will smell like it! If it grows green mold, you can scoop it out or stir it in, it won't hurt you. However, if it turns orange, throw it away and start over.
• Replenish your starter each time you use it, or once a week. Remember: it is a living thing! You have to feed it regularly. If you don't use it, take out one cupful and replace with ½ cup of flour and ½ cup of water.
• Keep the starter on a warm shelf. If you are not going to use it, store it in the fridge, but remove it a day before you want to use it so it will become active again. When you use your sourdough, replace what you took out with 1/2 cup of blood-warm water and 1/2 cup of flour. A daily stir is a good idea when it's first staring out.
• BREAD:
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Make a well in the center, and add the sourdough starter, egg, oil and warm water. Stir together and add more water or flour as necessary to form a pancake batter-like consistency. Cover with greased waxed paper and a towel and set in a warm place to rise.
• When doubled and all bubbly, mix in enough flour (about 4 cups) to enable it to be kneaded into a smooth elastic ball. Let this rise again until doubled, about 4 hours, and then punch down and shape into loaves or biscuits.
• Let this rise again until doubled and then bake in a 400°F (200°C) oven for about 10 minutes and then turn the oven down to 300°F (150°C) and let bake 30-40 minutes longer until the loaves sound hollow when you knock on them. Brush the loaves with butter.
• CREDITS: Recipe tested by Chef David Fairbanks, Algonquin College School of Hospitality and Tourism. This traditional recipe was submitted by Parks Canada staff at Dawson Historical Complex National Historic Site.

PUMPKIN BREAD WITH DISCARD SOURDOUGH STARTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 3 3x7 loaf pans or line muffin pans.
• Combine pumpkin, eggs, starter (or water if using), and sugars until smooth.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, and spices.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until fully incorporated.
• Pour into prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (Approximately 30 minutes for muffins, 60 minutes for loaves).

RUSTIC SOURDOUGH BREAD WITH STARTER

Steps:

• In a measuring cup combine the warm water and potato flakes.
• In a large ceramic bowl whisk together the yogurt, buttermilk, yeast and sugar (I use my 6 quart crockpot crock).
• Whisk in the potato water.
• Whisk in the flour until mixture is smooth.
• Cover with a loose lid or a large kitchen towel. DO NOT use a tight fitting lid-the gas from the starter could cause your container to explode.
• Set aside on your counter and leave it alone for 24 hours.
• Next morning.
• In the bowl of your KA or standing mixer combine the warm water, sugar and yeast.
• Give it a good whisk and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Whisk egg in a small bowl or measuring cup.
• Add starter to the bowl of your KA mixer-whisk well.
• To the yeast mixture add the egg, oil and 2 cups of flour.
• Give that a good whisk to get it somewhat smooth.
• Attach dough hook and turn mixer on to 1 or 2 (low speed).
• Add one cup of flour and kneed for 2-3 minutes.
• Add another cup of flour and kneed for 2-3 minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup of flour and kneed for 4-5 minutes.
• You will want your dough to to be tacky but not sticky-by that I mean you want your dough to "just" pull away from the side of your mixing bowl.
• Turn out onto a lightly floured board or counter.
• Flour hands lightly and kneed for 2 or 3 minutes forming a nice ball-again it will feel tacky and somewhat soft.
• Turn into a large oiled bowl, turning once to cover ball entirely.
• Let rise 1 and 1/2 hours, or until double in bulk.
• Punch down and divide dough in half.
• Shape dough into whatever form you wish.
• I make one round loaf using a small, oiled cast iron skillet dusted with corn meal, the other I shape into a Italian Style loaf on a greased cookie sheet dusted with corn meal.
• Brush tops with oil, cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
• Slash tops with a razor blade or VERY sharp knife.
• Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 30 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when tapped.
• Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.
• Remove bread from pans/sheets and let cool on wire rack.

HOMEMADE SOURDOUGH BREAD & STARTER

Steps:

• STARTER: Combine well then store at room temperature for 24 hours in a glass jar or plastic bowl (do not use metal). Cover top with a dish towel to allow it to breathe. After 24 hours you can start bread. If you're not ready to start bread, refrigerate the starter. Cover jar or bowl with its lid. Feed starter every 5 days.
• TO FEED STARTER: Mix 3 Tbsp instant potato flakes, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 cup warm water. Mix starter into this and let stand 24 hours at room temperature in glass or plastic (do not use metal). Cover jar or bowl with a dish towel to allow it to breathe.
• BREAD: Take out 1 cup of starter and refrigerate the rest or give a friend 1 cup. In a large bowl mix 1 cup of starter along with 6 cups of bread flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup oil, and 1 1/2 cups warm water, and salt if using.
• Grease another large bowl and put in the dough, turning once to grease all sides. Cover lightly with foil and let stand for 8 to 10 hours at room temperature to allow it to rise. Make sure it's in a warm room and out of a draft.
• After 8 to 10 hours punch down and knead a little then divide the dough into 4 parts. Knead each part on a floured surface 8 to 10 times.
• Shape into loaves by hand & place into 4 well-greased loaf pans and brush lightly with oil. Cover with foil. Let rise 8 to 12 hours at room temperature (in a warm room) out of draft. Note: One of my friends uses her oven (with the light on & keeps the door closed until time to take out) while the bread is rising.
• Preheat oven to 350. Remove foil and bake at 350 for approximately 30-40 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with butter (optional) and serve warm or cold.
• ***CINNAMON ROLLS: Rather than making it into 4 loaves you can make 2 loaves and gently roll the other half out (I use my hands for this along with a rolling pin). Spread a thin layer of very soft butter onto the dough, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, and raisins if you like. Use your judgment on the amounts.
• Now roll up, jelly-roll style, and cut into an inch in thickness. Place these rolls onto a buttered cookie sheet and cover with foil and let rise at room temperature in a warm room out of a draft.
• Remove foil and bake at 350 until golden brown. Make your glaze by using powdered sugar and either milk, orange juice (with zest), or lemon juice (with zest) and glaze each cinnamon roll while still warm.
• My sister just makes balls rather than 4 loaves at this point (using the same concept) for dinner rolls. Or make 1 loaf, cinnamon rolls, and dinner rolls. Or you can make half dinner & half cinnamon rolls. Just have fun and get creative with this bread.