My Favorite Basic Sourdough Loaf

from mixing to baking in just 8 hours . . .

Several of you have asked me about sourdough — what’s my favorite basic loaf recipe. And the answer has changed a lot in the last year. I had a tried-and-true recipe I made for like a decade. But then I messed around one day with a different hydration and decided I like this loaf better. It rises faster, too.

I figured even if you don’t have a starter of your own, you can make one with these instructions (or just ask a friend for some of theirs!). I share this recipe with you in the hopes you’ll get to try it someday. I am very lazy about baking sourdough. I did indeed take the time to learn all the proper steps with the overnight cold rise. And the shaping. And the waiting and more waiting. My loaves turned out textbook perfect.

But with life, all those steps don’t always make the most sense.

So, here’s what I do when life is life-ing to make stellar bread, fast.