Sour Dough Bread

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough starter
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water (like bath water warm, not tepid)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 6 cups plain flour, maybe a little more
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for oiling bowl

Directions

1. 1

   Mix starter, warm water, salt and sugar.

2. 2

   Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing well until dough pulls away from sides and is taken up into a lump. Flours vary greatly so this may take more than 6 cups.

3. 3

   Turn onto floured surface and knead until texture is elastic. About 10 minutes.

4. 4

   Place 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl and coat bottom and sides.

5. 5

   Place dough in oiled bowl and turn over to coat all sides of dough.

6. 6

   Then cover with a clean cloth or dish towel and let rise in a warm place 8-10 hours or overnight.(I often use a cold oven with just a pilot for this and sour dough is slower to rise than regular yeast bread).

7. 7

   Punch down dough, then divide into 3 greased loaf baking pans or greased round cake pans, and set on counter to rise again 4-6 hours.

8. 8

   Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F. oven for 25-35 minutes. Cool completely before slicing. This bread can be frozen after baking for future use.