How To Bake Sourdough Bread In A Cast Iron Bread Pan

Get Ready to Bake Delicious Sourdough Bread in a Cast Iron Bread Pan

Are you ready to elevate your bread baking game? Baking sourdough bread in a cast iron bread pan is a fantastic way to achieve a crispy crust and a soft, chewy interior. With the right techniques and a little bit of patience, you can create a mouthwatering loaf of sourdough bread that will impress your friends and family. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of baking sourdough bread in a cast iron bread pan.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Sourdough Starter: 1 cup
• Flour: 3 cups
• Water: 1 ½ cups
• Salt: 1 teaspoon

Step 1: Prepare Your Sourdough Starter

Before you begin baking, make sure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly. If it has been refrigerated, take it out and feed it with equal parts flour and water, then allow it to sit at room temperature for several hours until it becomes active.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough starter, flour, water, and salt. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients until a shaggy dough forms. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Fold the Dough

After the dough has rested, perform a series of folds by grabbing one side of the dough, stretching it upwards, and then folding it over the rest of the dough. Rotate the bowl and perform the same action on the other side. Repeat this process several times, cover the bowl, and let the dough rest for another 30 minutes. Repeat the folding process two more times, allowing the dough to rest for 30 minutes between each fold.

Step 4: Preheat Your Cast Iron Bread Pan

Place your cast iron bread pan in the oven and preheat it to 450°F (232°C). Preheating the pan will help create a beautiful, crispy crust on your sourdough bread.

Step 5: Shape the Dough

Once the dough has completed its final rest, gently shape it into a round loaf. Carefully remove the hot cast iron bread pan from the oven and place the dough into the pan. Use a sharp knife to score the top of the dough to allow for expansion during baking.

Step 6: Bake the Bread

Place the cast iron bread pan with the dough into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the bread develops a deep golden brown crust.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Once the bread is finished baking, carefully remove it from the cast iron bread pan and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Enjoy your delicious homemade sourdough bread with your favorite toppings or simply with a smear of butter.

By following these simple steps, you can create a delectable loaf of sourdough bread using a cast iron bread pan. The combination of the cast iron’s heat retention and the unique qualities of sourdough will result in a bread that is sure to impress. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to bake the best sourdough bread of your life!