why make this recipe
This bread mixes bright lemon and sweet blueberries with tangy sourdough. It gives a fresh taste and soft crumb. It is great for breakfast, toast, or a small dessert.
introduction
This recipe uses a fed starter and simple steps to make a flavorful loaf. For a basic guide to sourdough techniques, see a delicious sourdough bread recipe. The loaf is not hard to make if you follow the steps and watch the dough signs.
how to make Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Bread Recipe
- Feed your starter so it is active before you start.
- Mix 50g active sourdough starter with 350g water until dissolved. Add 500g bread flour and mix until no dry flour remains. Cover and rest 30–60 minutes.
- Add 11g salt and mix well. Perform a set of stretch-and-folds every 30 minutes for 2 hours (about 4 sets).
- Gently fold in 150g fresh blueberries, lemon zest, and the mashed 1/2 cup (75g) blueberries mixed with 2 Tablespoons (45g) honey and a pinch of salt. Add the 8 Tablespoons (113g) butter at room temperature in small pieces and fold until somewhat combined.
- Bulk ferment until the dough shows the signs below (this can take 3–6 hours at room temperature depending on starter strength and room temp).
- Shape the dough gently to keep blueberries whole. Place in a floured banneton or bowl seam-side up. Proof in the fridge for 8–12 hours or at room temp for 2–4 hours until puffy.
- Preheat oven with a Dutch oven to 230°C (450°F). Score and bake covered 20 minutes, then uncovered 20–25 minutes until golden. Let cool before slicing.
Ingredients :
- 50g active sourdough starter
- 350g water
- 500g bread flour
- 11g salt
- 150g fresh blueberries
- Zest of a lemon
- 8 Tablespoons butter, room temperature (113g)
- 1/2 c fresh blueberries, mashed (75g)
- 2 Tablespoon honey (45g)
- A pinch of salt
Directions :
- The dough should have increased in size by at least 50%.
- The dough looks light, and jiggles when shaken.
- The dough should easily pull away from the bowl.
- There should be visible bubbles in and on top of the dough.
- The dough doesn’t tear when you do a windowpane test.
how to serve Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Bread Recipe
Slice thin for toast or thicker for a snack. Serve with butter, cream cheese, or a light drizzle of honey. Warm slices bring out the lemon and blueberry flavor.
how to store Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Bread Recipe
Let the loaf cool fully. Store wrapped in a cloth bag or loose plastic at room temperature for 2–3 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze in a sealed bag for up to one month. Toast from frozen or thaw at room temp.
tips to make Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Bread Recipe
- Use a ripe, active starter for best rise.
- Handle the dough gently to keep blueberries whole.
- If berries bleed a lot, toss them in a little flour before adding.
- Watch dough signs, not just clock time.
- Chill the dough if it gets too soft during shaping.
variation (if any)
- Try lemon glaze after baking for extra sweetness.
- Replace some blueberries with frozen berries (thaw and drain).
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla or a pinch of cinnamon for a different flavor.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen blueberries?
A: Yes. Thaw and drain them first to reduce extra liquid.
Q: When do I add the honey and mashed blueberries?
A: Mix them in when you fold in the fresh blueberries and butter so they blend into the dough.
Q: How do I know when the dough is ready to bake?
A: Look for the listed signs: 50% rise, light and jiggly, pulls from the bowl, visible bubbles, and a passing windowpane test.
Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Bread
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 100 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful sourdough bread combining the brightness of lemon and sweetness of blueberries, perfect for breakfast or as a simple dessert.
Ingredients
- 50g active sourdough starter
- 350g water
- 500g bread flour
- 11g salt
- 150g fresh blueberries
- Zest of a lemon
- 113g butter, room temperature (8 Tablespoons)
- 75g fresh blueberries, mashed (1/2 cup)
- 45g honey (2 Tablespoon)
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Feed your starter so it is active before starting.
- Mix 50g active sourdough starter with 350g water until dissolved.
- Add 500g bread flour and mix until no dry flour remains. Cover and rest for 30-60 minutes.
- Add 11g salt and mix well. Perform a set of stretch-and-folds every 30 minutes for 2 hours (about 4 sets).
- Gently fold in 150g fresh blueberries, lemon zest, and the mashed 75g blueberries mixed with 45g honey and a pinch of salt.
- Add the 113g butter in small pieces and fold until somewhat combined.
- Bulk ferment until the dough shows the signs (3-6 hours at room temp depending on starter strength and room temp).
- Shape the dough gently to keep blueberries whole. Place in a floured banneton or bowl seam-side up. Proof in the fridge for 8-12 hours or at room temp for 2-4 hours until puffy.
- Preheat oven with a Dutch oven to 230°C (450°F). Score and bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered for 20-25 minutes until golden.
- Let cool before slicing.
Notes
Use a ripe, active starter for the best rise and handle the dough gently to keep blueberries whole. If berries bleed a lot, toss them in a little flour before adding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg