Paraben Free Classic Sourdough Bread

There is something deeply satisfying about pulling a crackling, mahogany-crusted loaf from a screaming-hot Dutch oven, and this sourdough delivers exactly that kind of moment. The ingredient list is beautifully stripped down — just flour, water, salt, and a live starter — which means there is nothing synthetic hiding in the mix, no preservatives, no additives, and no mystery compounds that tend to sneak into commercial breads. For anyone navigating sensitivities to synthetic preservatives like parabens, baking your own loaf from scratch is genuinely one of the cleanest solutions available, and this recipe makes that process approachable without cutting corners. The method walks you through autolyse, stretch-and-fold sets, and an overnight cold proof, each step building flavor and that signature open crumb you see in bakery windows. Scoring the cold dough with a confident slash before it hits the preheated Dutch oven creates the dramatic ear and blistered crust that makes this loaf look as impressive as it tastes. Patience is the only real skill required — the dough does most of the work while you sleep. Once you slice into that cool, set crumb, you will understand why so many people never go back to store-bought.

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