Name: Perfect Sourdough Discard French Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 cups sourdough discard (room temperature); 1 cup warm water (110°F); 4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 tablespoon instant yeast

Why make this recipe

Perfect Sourdough Discard French Bread is a fantastic way to prevent waste and use sourdough discard. This bread has a crispy crust and a soft, airy interior. It’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying with butter. Plus, making it at home is easier than you might think!

How to make Perfect Sourdough Discard French Bread

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

2 cups sourdough discard (room temperature)
1 cup warm water (110°F)
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon instant yeast

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough discard and warm water, stirring until smooth.
Add the sugar and instant yeast, letting it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and place a baking stone or baking sheet inside to heat.
Shape the dough into a baguette and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Score the top of the dough with a sharp knife and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Transfer the bread to the preheated baking stone or sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.

How to serve Perfect Sourdough Discard French Bread

This bread is best enjoyed fresh. Serve it warm with butter or olive oil. You can also use it for sandwiches, bruschetta, or simply as a side for soups and salads.

How to store Perfect Sourdough Discard French Bread

To store the bread, let it cool completely and then place it in a paper bag to keep the crust crispy. Alternatively, you can wrap it in plastic wrap for up to three days. For longer storage, you can freeze the bread. Just slice it before freezing for easy access.

Tips to make Perfect Sourdough Discard French Bread

Make sure your water is warm, but not hot, to activate the yeast.
Allow enough time for the dough to rise for the best texture.
Don’t skip scoring the top of the bread; it helps release steam during baking and gives a nice look.

Variation

Feel free to add herbs, garlic, or cheese to the dough for added flavor. You can also try shaping it into rolls instead of a baguette for different serving options.

FAQs

1. Can I use cold sourdough discard?
Using room temperature sourdough discard is best for activating the yeast. If your discard is cold, let it sit at room temperature for a while before using.

2. What if I don’t have instant yeast?
You can use active dry yeast instead. Just dissolve it in warm water first and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes before mixing.

3. Why is my bread dense?
A dense texture can result from not kneading the dough enough or not allowing it enough time to rise. Make sure to knead until smooth and let it rise until doubled in size.