Soft, buttery sourdough bread made in a bread machine is the next best thing since, well, sliced bread. Super easy to make, you just dump the ingredients in and allow the bread machine to do all the work.
![loaf of sourdough bread from a bread machine cut on a white quartz countertop](https://www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/bread-machine-sourdough-22-1024x683.jpg)
Recently, Iโve had some requests for a sourdough bread recipe in a bread machine. SoI bit the bullet and made one that is so delicious.
This bread is a take on my sourdough sandwich bread, but made to fit in the bread machine. It is super light, fluffy, buttery, and everything wonderful you want in a sourdough bread, but totally hands off.
The bread machine does all the work. After you dump in the ingredients, you push some buttons and it goes to work.
It really couldnโt be easier, and if you are wanting fresh baked bread for dinner or lunches (a great way to stretch the grocery budget if you ask me), then you have to try this recipe.
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
Hands off: This is a dump and go recipe. Add the ingredients and push the knead button. Kneading and baking all happens in the bread machine. So if you want fresh bread without yeast, but maybe donโt have the time or ability to make bread by hand, this recipe is a must.
Super simple: Goes along with the whole hands off thing. This recipe couldnโt be simpler.
Delicious: This recipe is one of my absolute favorites. It is so fluffy and buttery with a hint of sweetness. Any sandwich would be happy to have this as its main component.
Tips For Making Bread Machine Sourdough Bread:
- Although you can make this bread from start to finish without ever touching the dough, you have the option to remove the dough from the bread machine after kneading and remove the paddle. This will keep you from having to pull the kneading paddle out of the finished product.
- Though you could get away with just one knead cycle, I actually like to do it one more time. This ensures proper gluten formation for soft bread.
- Spritz the top of dough with water a few times to make sure the dough doesnโt dry out on top during rising. This is an optional step, but also helps the crust to turn golden in the baking step.
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FAQ:
Do all bread makers make sourdough?
Yes! Thought this will depend on the type of sourdough you are trying to make. It will make soft sourdough bread, but not that crusty, no-knead sourdough from start to finish. To get that crusty type boule, it will need to be baked in a dutch oven.
Can you use machine to knead sourdough?
Yes. You can definitely just use the bread machine to knead the dough, and then bake in the oven, if desired.
Is it cheaper to make your own sourdough?
Yes! Making sourdough bread is very inexpensive (about $.75-$1 a loaf by rough estimation using the cheapest organic flour I’ve seen at Costco). Buying a similar loaf at a bakery can cost you easily $7-8 or more.
Ingredients:
- Water – Preferably filtered.
- Unsalted butter – Using unsalted butter allows you to be able to control the salt in recipes.
- Bread flour – Bread flour yields a softer, fluffier bread. All-purpose can be substituted. Bread flour has a higher protein content, which allows more gluten strands to be produced giving you a fluffier bread.
- Granulated sugar – This helps feed the sourdough starter and gives it a slightly sweet flavor.
- Salt – Bread without salt is blah. I promise.
- Active sourdough starter – This is sourdough starter that has been fed within 4-12 hours and is super bubbly and active.
Tools you may need:
Measuring cups and spoons
How To Make Sourdough Bread In A Bread Machine
Add the water and melted butter to the bread machine.
On top of that, add the bread flour, sugar and salt.
Lastly, add the sourdough starter.
Use the kneading function on the bread machine (for my machine this is function 8). Mine is set to knead for 25 minutes. Though you could get away with just one knead cycle, I actually like to do it one more time.
After the first knead cycle finishes, I press the button again and let it knead the dough one more time, for an additional 25 minute cycle.
Next (optional), remove the dough from the dough machine and take out the paddles. That way you donโt have to pull them out later after baking.
Allow the dough to sit in the bread machine for about 6 hours, or until the dough nearly rises to the top of the bread pan.
I like to spritz the top with water a few times to make sure the dough doesnโt dry out. This is an optional step, but also helps the crust to turn golden in the baking step.
After the dough has risen for several hours, I go to the baking function (function 13 on my bread maker) and select the option for dark crust. This makes the bake time one hour.
Allow the bread to cool, then remove from the pan.
Storage:
Unsliced bread can be stored in a paper or linen bag. Once cut, store cut side down on a cutting board lightly covered or in a storage bag.
Baker’s Schedule:
9 PM: Feed sourdough starter so it will be nice and active the next morning.
8 AM the next day: Add ingredients to the bread machine and allow it to work its magic. Do two rounds of kneading.
9 AMish: Allow the dough to rise for about 6 hours.
3-5 PM: Bake for 1 hour. Usually it will take 6-8 hours for your bread to double to be ready to bake.
6 PM: Slice and serve.
Find More Sourdough Recipes:
- Spelt Sourdough Bread
- Sourdough Oatmeal Cookies
- Best Sourdough Banana Muffins
- Sourdough Pizza Dough
- Sourdough Pumpkin Bread
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you could come back and give it 5 stars!
Sourdough Bread In A Bread Machine
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 cup sourdough starter bubbly and active
Instructions
- Add the water and melted butter to the bread machine.
- On top of that add the bread flour, sugar and salt.
- Lastly, add the sourdough starter.
- Use the kneading function on the bread machine. (For my machine this is function 8) Mine is set to knead for 25 minutes.
- Optional: After the first knead cycle finishes, I press the button again and let it knead the dough one more time, for an additional 25 minute cycle.
- Next, I just allow the dough to sit in the bread machine for about 6 hours, or until the dough nearly rises to the top of the bread pan. I like to spritz the top with water a few times to make sure the dough doesn't dry out on top. (Optional , but also helps the crust to turn golden in the baking step.)
- After the dough has risen for several hours, I go to the baking function (function 13 on my bread maker) and select the option for dark crust. This makes the bake time 1 hour.
- Pull the bread out of the bread maker and allow to cool.
Notes
- Although you can make this bread from start to finish without ever touching the dough, you have the option to take out the dough from the bread machine after kneading and remove the paddle. This will keep you from having to pull the kneading paddle out of the finished product.
- Though you could get away with just one knead cycle, I actually like to do it one more time. This ensures proper gluten formation for soft bread.
- Spritz the top of dough with water a few times to make sure the dough doesnโt dry out on top during rising. This is an optional step, but also helps the crust to turn golden in the baking step.
Shannon says
Love all of your recipes Iโve tried so far! I make your sourdough sandwich bread regularly and donโt buy bread for the store any longer!
My bread machine always does a warming setting before it starts kneading and I donโt see a way to turn it off in the manual. Would this recipe still work?
Lisa Bass says
Yes, it should still work.
Ruth says
Can I make this recipe using einkorn flour?
Lisa Bass says
No, it won’t work correctly! The measurements vary greatly with einkorn.
Forest Beall says
I have made this general recipe about 10 times or so now and really like it. I take my starter out of the fridge the night before, feed it and let sit. The next morning I put it together, I kneed it twice as recommended and pull out the paddle reshape the dough and let sit until risen to about the top of pan, once risen I bake it at a medium dark crust for 60 minutes. Additionally the last few times for the second mix I have added dried Italian herbs, cracked red pepper, black pepper, paprika, and parmigiana cheese, it makes a really nice savory bread especially great with any sort of pasta or Italian food.
Anonymous says
I must get this bread machine. What a wonderful way to bake bread-No HOT oven in summer months! Plus, you can save on time and energy plus sore joints. Nice variety of recipes too. Thank you, Lisa
Jill Hawksworth says
I have been using all purpose flour for my starter. Can I continue to use AP or switch to bread flour for this recipe? I am excited to try this recipe!
Lisa Bass says
You can switch to bread flour.
Sharon P Fowler says
Lisa can you tell me what I did wrong? My crust is beautifully brown but is not soft. Thanks
Lisa Bass says
I’m sorry! I would try the recipe again. It is hard to tell why you have a crust that is not as soft, as it could be a variety of things or even a setting on your bread machine.
Laura Hartnett says
The recipe was easy to follow & can be done in one day which was fantastic. I had pulled my starter out of the fridge to feed it & discard but it became active overnight without doing anything so I thought , letโs give this recipe a try! Glad I did!!
Rebecca says
Hi Lisa, does this recipe make a 2lb loaf? I usually have to select what size bread I will make for my breadmaker. Thanks in advance! And BTW I love watching your channel Farmhouse on Boone! You are such an encouragement to me as a homeschooling SAHM of 4! God bless you and your family! โค
Lisa Bass says
Yes, that’s right! Glad you are enjoying the channel. ๐
Carol Larson says
I loved this recipe and the texture of the finished bread. I really love the tip of taking the paddle out before rising. I am making it a second time today for new harvest tomato BLT’s. I bet it will be fabulous!
Charlene Sober says
My bread machine has no sourdough setting. It has light or dark, whole wheat and french. What would you suggest? It is older. Plus my booklet says to use 3 1/2 cups flour max for best results. Ugh.I am trying it out tomorrow.
Lisa Bass says
I would go with whole wheat and see what that does!