A Sourdough Masterclass for Home Bakers

This has been my go-to sourdough bread recipe for the last 4 years. I've made a few changes to the process over the years and I'm excited to share them with you in this video. Here's how to make great sourdough bread!

Get the written recipe here:

Watch how I made my sourdough starter from scratch in 6 days in this video here:

Get 18 of my favorite straightforward sourdough recipes in my ebook, No-Nonsense Sourdough. Check it out here:

Get the tools I use for making sourdough bread here:

Chapters:
00:00 Great Sourdough Bread Recipe
02:00 Bulk Fermentation (The First Rise with Stretch & Folds)
04:50 Preshape & Final Shape
07:26 The Final Proof
08:44 Preheating the Oven
09:35 Scoring
09:59 Baking

[GrantBakes]

Here's how I made my sourdough starter from scratch in just 6 days:

[drewmcmahon]

I've seen every single sourdough video currently on YouTube. Allll of them. This is by far the best and the only one I watch every time I want to bake a loaf. No filler, no fluff. Just direct, to the point and crystal clear. Every important detail worth mentioning is in here any detail not worth mentioning is not. Thank you for providing the best sourdough video on the web.

[euyvmwd]

I'm new to making sourdough, so I'm watching a LOT of videos and bought a sourdough book at Barnes & Noble. What really surprises me is the vast difference in recipes, techniques, resting time, and baking time for a simple sourdough bread. I had assumed there was a standard method everyone uses, but that is not the case. Different types of flour, different protein percentages, different amounts of water and flour, very different resting and baking times, etc. It makes it hard to learn what is the correct way, when all the videos say their way is the correct way. I do like this video, easy to understand and follow.

[marymaya]

I just made my own starter, my first two loaves were dense. I found this video and my loaves came out beautiful, fluffy and delicious. Even my friends who have been making sour dough bread for years couldn’t believe how amazing my bread looked. ❤❤❤

[povilitus]

This is THE sourdough video to watch. Works like a charm every single time, especially for beginners.

[Showmetheevidence-]

This was the most coherent and simplest video I’ve seen. Covers all the basics without unnecessary waffle 😊

[homefire]

Grant, I have attempted wild-fermented sourdough bread for years, but my two worst issues have been maintaining an active starter and timing. Especially timing. Your method is so simple and straightforward. I followed your directions exactly as you presented them… and I ended up with the most perfect artisan loaf I have ever made. Thank you!!!

[Trangbin-vnaus]

Omg !!! I have been into sourdough just for 2 weeks only, tried making sourdough 5 times with different recipes and methods I learnt from youtube, the 5th one I made with your recipe and method, my sourdough is a perfection for a beginner like me. It turned out so beautiful and I couldn't ask for more. My husband had it for lunch and he loved it. I am so so happy. I purchased your No-nonsense sourdough ebook and am so excited to start the journey. Thank you so so much

[matthewk]

I just want to say thank you so much. I have been struggling for the past 3 months. My recipe, hydration has alway been the same as yours. Always make a dense loaf with minimal oven spring. Yesterday I watched your video and used your technique of final folding and forming. I have just pulled a loaf out that has big spring and a beautiful size ear. Thank you so much. So grateful 🇦🇺

[sherilee]

I love how to keep starter small!
Thanks for sharing all the significant details!

[onlyinparadise]

Best sourdough channel for sourdough bread! Grant is awesome 👏. Your recipe is the only one I use at home.

[lapismosi]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!💜💙 I have watched at least 16 other channels trying to find an easy foolproof recipe/method. Most were confusing and long and drawn out and just yapping talking heads. Yours is my top pick. Clear, easy, and filming matched what you were talking about. Your loaf was so beautiful I tried and AMAZINGLY MY LOAF CAME OUT BEAUTIFULLY too! 🩵💚I can't thank you enough!💛🧡 PS I subscribed of course and will be a dedicated fan forever! ❤🩷

[sheteg]

I’ve been making sourdough for a long time. This is the best recipe and method out there. I’ve made this 5x now. I added an additional stretch & fold and my bulk ferment added time was 4 hours. Amazing spring in my loaf, excellent crust & crumb. Thx 🙏

[SherriWittenburg-odqm]

I was successful in the first few phases by faithfully using my digital scale and the 3 stretch and folds. Then things got wonky. I had to refrigerate the dough for 6 hrs . I took it out of the fridge and into my pantry where it doubled in size. Time to preshape...i think...begining to lose track 😏Very sticky, appreciated tips you had on handling with dampened hands. I was tempted to add flour but resisted. Unable to proceed, back to fridge for about 48 hrs. I refused to give up.
It grew a very tough skin. I cut it with a sharp knife in a cross pattern and threw it in a 450° oven on my pizza pan with a bread pan full of boiling water.
Used a spray bottle to spray crust and I interior of oven throughout the cooking time of 40 minutes.
Dark brown very chewy peasant crust, spongy Delicious interior.

My triumph!

[judith]

This is a fantastic recipe. I baked my loaf this morning and it turned out just beautiful! So easy! I can actually say I love making sourdough bread now.
Thank you Grant!

[gsw]

My first sourdough loaf was a ball of chewy, crust, but tasteless bread. My 2nd loaf over proofed so much the dough collapsed & wouldn't hold form. Then, I found this recipe. I've made 2 loafs using this recipe & both came out gorgeous and delicious! Method is straight-forward, easy to follow instructions. Can't wait to try your sourdough sheet pan pizza crust recipe!

[bluebearh]

Your the only worth watching here on yt when it comes to sourdough

[aecs]

Excellent tips for baking bread. Straightforward, easy to follow.

[taglagable]

Thank you for this. I’ve been reading a book about making starter and sourdough that was gifted to me. It piqued my interest, but has explained so little and added a lot of extra steps. Perhaps they’re helpful, but I couldn’t tell you why. I can tell you about the author’s daily routines and family life though. Nice, but unhelpful.
I appreciate that you include all of the required information. You’re clear, concise and you explain every step and why you’re performing each step. You also did it in about 10 minutes. Brilliant.

[luckygirlu]

I just put the prettiest loaf of uncooked bread in the oven that I’ve ever made following this wonderful instruction. I’ve worked really hard on my starter the last couple months and know that that has made a huge difference in my bread, but following this instruction took me to the next level. Thank you I’m dying to get it out of the oven.