Description
This Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Bread combines the tangy depth of sourdough with the fresh brightness of lemon and the juicy burst of blueberries, creating a moist and flavorful loaf perfect for breakfast or as a delightful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Sourdough Starter
- 100g all-purpose flour
- 100g water
Bread
- 500g bread flour
- 350g water
- 100g active sourdough starter
- 10g salt
- 100g fresh blueberries
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Mix Autolyse: In a large mixing bowl, combine 500g bread flour and 350g water. Stir until no dry flour remains and rest the mixture for 30 minutes to hydrate the flour and initiate gluten development.
- Add Starter and Flavorings: Incorporate 100g active sourdough starter, 10g salt, lemon zest, and lemon juice into the dough. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are fully combined.
- Stretch and Fold: Perform stretch and fold techniques every 30 minutes over the course of 2 hours for a total of 4 sets, to strengthen the dough and develop gluten structure.
- Add Blueberries: Gently fold in 100g fresh blueberries after the last stretch and fold, being careful to keep the berries intact and evenly distributed.
- Shape and Proof: Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it into a floured proofing basket. Cover and allow it to rise for 3-4 hours at room temperature or refrigerate overnight for a slower fermentation.
- Preheat Oven and Dutch Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) with a Dutch oven inside for 30 minutes to ensure it is thoroughly heated for baking.
- Bake Covered: Transfer the dough carefully into the hot Dutch oven, score the top of the loaf to control expansion, cover it with the lid, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the lid and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes until the crust turns a deep golden brown and crisp.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing to set the crumb and enhance flavor.
Notes
- Using a Dutch oven helps create steam during baking, which results in a crusty exterior.
- Blueberries add moisture, so handle the dough gently when folding them in to prevent bursting.
- Overnight cold fermentation in the fridge can develop deeper flavor and improve texture.
- Allowing the bread to cool fully is essential for best slicing results and crumb stability.
