Golden Gingham Sourdough Bread

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through your home, filling every corner with warmth and comfort. If you’re a fan of the tangy flavor and chewy texture of sourdough bread, then you’re in for a treat with this recipe for Golden Gingham Sourdough Bread. With its golden crust and unique crisscross pattern reminiscent of a gingham fabric, this bread is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Let’s get started on baking your own loaf of homemade sourdough perfection.

Ingredients:
– 1 cup active sourdough starter
– 2 cups bread flour
– 1 cup whole wheat flour
– 1 ¼ cups lukewarm water
– 1 ½ teaspoons salt

Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the active sourdough starter, bread flour, whole wheat flour, and lukewarm water. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Add the salt to the dough and knead it in until fully incorporated. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
3. After the dough has rested, perform a series of stretches and folds to develop the gluten. To do this, grab a portion of the dough, stretch it upwards, and fold it over the rest of the dough. Continue this process until you have worked your way around the bowl.
4. Cover the bowl again and allow the dough to ferment at room temperature for about 3-4 hours, performing another series of stretches and folds every 30 minutes during the first 2 hours.
5. Once the dough has risen and become puffy, shape it into a round loaf. Place the loaf onto a floured kitchen towel or proofing basket, seam side up. Cover with the towel and let the dough proof for an additional 1-2 hours.
6. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a Dutch oven with its lid on in the oven to heat up.
7. Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven and carefully transfer the proofed loaf into it, seam side down. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife in a crisscross pattern to create the gingham design.
8. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and bake the bread for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the bread develops a golden crust and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
9. Once baked, remove the loaf from the Dutch oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack before slicing and enjoying your freshly baked Golden Gingham Sourdough Bread.

With its crunchy crust, chewy interior, and the subtle tang of sourdough, this bread is perfect for enjoying on its own, serving with soups and salads, or even making the most exquisite sandwiches. The unique gingham design adds a touch of whimsy to your table, making it an impressive centerpiece for any gathering. Bake a loaf of Golden Gingham Sourdough Bread and let the delightful flavors and inviting aroma fill your home with warmth and happiness.