Ballerina Farm Sourdough Recipe You’ll Love

If you enjoy freshly baked bread, you must try the Ballerina Farm sourdough recipe. This recipe makes delicious bread and helps a family farm focus on healthy, homemade meals.

Hannah Neeleman & her family operate Ballerina Farm, which promotes healthy food. In this article, I will share easy and simple steps for making the sourdough recipe.

Easiest Way To Make Ballerina Farm Sourdough Recipe

Category: Bread
Cuisine: Artisan, Farmhouse
Serving: 6 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes (excluding fermentation time)
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Calories: Approximately 190-220 calories per serving

I love making sourdough bread and highly recommend trying the Ballerina Farm Sourdough bread recipe. I am sharing this step-by-step guide for your convenience, which includes some easy baking options.

Ingredients We Use

Equipment:

Step By Step Instructions

Prepare Your Sourdough Starter

If you have your sourdough starter in the refrigerator, take it out.

Then, mix in equal amounts of water and flour.

For example, if you used ½ cup of flour, use ½ cup of water.

You should do this step almost 6 hours before baking.

It will make the starter very bubbly and active and help the bread rise.

Mix Water & Sourdough Starter

Take a large bowl and add 1 1/4 cup water to it.

The water should be lukewarm, meaning it should feel warm when touched but not too hot.

After that, add 1 cup of active sourdough starter to the same bowl.

Use a whisk to mix the water and starter.

If you don’t have a whisk, you can use a spoon.

Make sure to continue mixing until everything is combined correctly.

The mixture will become a cloudy liquid when it’s well blended.

Once it’s well blended, stop mixing. Overmixing can ruin it.

Chill The Dough

Wrap the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap & allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes to an hour.

Resting the dough allows the flour to absorb water, making it easier to handle and helping the gluten develop.

It gives a better texture to the bread.

Add Salt

Once the dough chills, it is time to add the salt.

Evenly sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt on top of the dough.

Then, use your hands to blend the salt into the dough.

To mix the salt completely, gently squeeze and fold the dough, applying pressure as you work.

This step is important because the salt increases the flavour of your bread & controls the dough’s rising speed, which impacts the bread’s texture.

Mix the salt properly to make sure the bread has the correct flavour & texture once it is baked.

Knead The Dough & Rise it

Grease a bowl with oil and then add the kneaded dough to the bowl.

Greasing the bowl with oil stops the dough from sticking to it.

After adding the dough to the bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.

Keep it at room temperature for 6-7 hours.

Alternatively, check if the dough has doubled and then uncover it.

You will see the fluffy dough when it has doubled in size.

Put the dough on a neat, floured surface.

Start the kneading process by pressing the dough down and away from you, then fold it back onto itself.

This method helps create the texture & thickness of the dough.

Continue kneading for up to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth.

If you have a stand mixer equipped with a dough hook in your kitchen, you can use it.

Stir at a slow speed until the dough reaches the desired texture.

Form the Loaf & Rise Again

After the dough rises, gently press it down and release some air. Next, transfer the dough onto a surface dusted with flour.

Form the dough into a round or oval shape by folding the edges towards the middle and then flipping it over so that the smooth side faces up.

Softly stretch & smooth the surface with your hands.

After you’ve shaped the bread dough, put it in a unique basket known as a proofing basket, banneton, or a bowl lined with a cloth dusted with flour.

Cover your bread with a damp cloth and let it rise for up to 2 hours to make it lighter and fluffier.

Preheat Oven

Preheating the oven is very important for successful baking.

Before you start baking, make sure to preheat your oven to 450°F.

To make crusty bread in a Dutch oven, place the dough in the oven as it heats up to create steam.

Score & Bake

After the dough has risen again, softly transfer it onto a piece of parchment paper.

Make a few minor cuts on the loaf’s surface using a sharp knife or a razor blade.

This technique, known as scoring, helps the bread’s expansion during baking. 

Handle dough gently when lifting the parchment paper with the dough and transferring it to the Dutch oven.

Put the lid on it and bake for up to 30 minutes. 

Next, remove the lid and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust turns dark golden brown.

For crispier sourdough bread, bake it in the oven without a lid for longer.

Cool It (Optional)

Finally, when it’s done, please remove it from the oven & let it rest on the rack for 30 minutes.

This step is optional, but waiting a little longer after all your hard work is recommended for better results.

Recipe Video

Sourdough starter recipe youtube:

This is the video about how to make Sourdough Recipe at home.

Author: Ballerina Farm

Rated: 4.1 of 5.0 from 259 reviews.

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What to Pair with Ballerina Farm Sourdough Recipe?

I really enjoy having Sourdough Recipe alongside a serving of Texas Roadhouse Corn Recipe. The savory, buttery corn goes so well with the light, fruity tarts, creating a lovely balance of flavors.

Another delicious pairing is the Applebee’s Dracula Juice Recipe. The sweet and tangy drink adds a refreshing twist that complements the fresh fruit in the tarts perfectly.

Tips For Storing & Freezing Ballerina Farm Sourdough Recipe

Storage options exist if you don’t want to use them immediately. However, the process of storing in the refrigerator & freezer is different.

Sourdough Storing Process:

Keep the sourdough fresh by storing it in a kitchen towel or a paper bag. Avoid using plastic bags at room temperature, as it will result in a soft crust. You can keep the dough in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days.

Sourdough Freezing Process:

If you want your sourdough bread to stay fresh for longer, slice it before putting it in the freezer. Wrap the slices in aluminium foil or plastic wrap in a freezer bag.

Remember to write the date on the bag. This way, Sourdough can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Ingredient Substitutes:

1. Flour Options

You don’t always have to stick to the exact flour in the recipe. If you’re out of whole wheat flour, you can use spelt or rye flour for a slightly different flavor. I think rye gives the sourdough recipe ballerina farm a nice hearty taste.

2. Water for Milk

Sometimes, using water in the dough works just fine, but if you want a richer loaf, you can swap water with milk. It gives the sourdough recipe a softer texture. You might have to adjust the hydration just a bit, but it’s worth it!

3. Adding Honey or Maple Syrup

I don’t know how many people love adding sugar to their bread, but I can tell you, honey or maple syrup adds just a hint of sweetness without overpowering. It’s great for anyone looking for a sourdough bread recipe without starter or when you just want something a little different.

4. Sea Salt vs. Table Salt

Sea salt adds a more complex flavor to the sourdough recipe, but if you only have table salt on hand, that works too. Just reduce the amount slightly because table salt is a bit stronger. I think you’ll still love the result.

5. Using Whole Grains

When you’re feeling adventurous, try replacing some of the bread flour with whole grain flour like oats or barley. It’ll give your sourdough recipe by weight a nutty flavor and add a bit of extra texture. It’s also one of those sourdough bread benefits you can brag about!

6. Butter vs. Oil

I don’t know how you feel about butter, but I think it’s always a winner in my book. If you usually use oil, try swapping in melted butter for a richer flavor. Your best sourdough bread recipe just got a little more luxurious!

7. Using Apple Cider Vinegar

I’ve seen people swap out lemon juice for a bit of apple cider vinegar in the sourdough starter recipe youtube community. It adds a slight tang and helps the dough rise a little better. I think it’s a fun trick to try!

8. Dairy-Free Options

If you need to keep things dairy-free, coconut milk or almond milk can replace regular milk in the easy sourdough recipe. They add a subtle flavor but still keep the dough soft and fluffy.

9. Olive Oil for a Twist

When you’re feeling like adding a Mediterranean flair, use olive oil instead of other fats. It makes the english muffin sourdough recipe super tender and adds a bit of that rich olive oil taste. I think this twist brings a whole new flavor!

10. Seeds and Grains

Adding flaxseeds, sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds is a great way to change up the texture of your sourdough recipe with starter. Sprinkle them on top before baking or fold them into the dough for a crunch in every bite.

FAQ’S

What is the secret to good sourdough bread?

The secret is in long fermentation and using a well-fed starter to develop flavor and texture.

What is the best sourdough in the world?

Many consider San Francisco sourdough the best due to its unique tangy flavor.

How do you make sourdough Fluffy?

To make sourdough fluffy, ensure proper kneading and enough hydration for a soft crumb.

What makes the best sourdough starter?

A mixture of quality flour, water, and time, plus regular feeding, makes the best starter.

Can you make sourdough with just flour and water?

Yes, you only need flour and water to create a sourdough starter.

What are the steps of sourdough?

The steps include mixing the dough, fermentation, shaping, proofing, and baking.

Is sourdough bread healthy?

Yes, sourdough is rich in probiotics and easier to digest than regular bread.

What is the secret ingredient in sourdough bread?

Patience is the secret ingredient that allows the dough to fully ferment.

Does flour matter for sourdough?

Yes, using high-quality flour, especially whole grains, can affect flavor and texture.

Can I use milk instead of water in sourdough bread?

Yes, milk can be used for a softer and richer dough.

How to make a strong sourdough starter?

Feed your starter regularly with equal parts water and flour, and keep it warm for strength.

Author Sofia Zoe

Sofia is great at both writing and cooking. She enjoys sharing simple recipes & helpful cooking advice with everyone. With 5 years of experience in writing and baking, Sofia has a lot of knowledge and creativity to help people who cook at home and those who love food.

Final Words About Ballerina Farm Sourdough Recipe

The Ballerina Farm sourdough recipe embodies tradition and makes sure of a delicious meal. This recipe suits professionals like cooks who want to start making homemade food.

You can make this delightful recipe perfectly by using a suitable ingredient quantity and following the exact recipe.