Bread Machine

Makes 1 Loaf (14 Slices)

Using a bread machine to make Sinless Sourdough loaves is an innovative and efficient way to enjoy low-carb sourdough bread without the time-consuming process typically associated with artisan baking. This method stands out as the fastest approach, allowing you to create a variety of delicious sourdough loaves at the touch of a button. Bread machines offer multiple settings, making it easy to experiment with different flavors and textures, all while saving you valuable time. This recipe is particularly advantageous for those with busy schedules, as it eliminates the need for extensive preparation and manual labor. Additionally, bread made in a machine is easier to slice, making it perfect for sandwiches or delightful dishes like French toast and grilled paninis. With minimal effort, you can enjoy freshly baked, low-carb sourdough that rivals traditional methods.

Equipment Needed:

• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Container with cover, such as a t-towel or paper towel (for preferment)
• 8-inch diameter mixing bowl (for prepared flour mix)
• Bread machine

Ingredients: 

Preferment:

• 1 cup sourdough levain (active starter)
• ½ cup spring water (pH 7.  Most brands are pH 7.  Some brands such as Costco Kirkland has a pH of 8.5.  Higher than 7 pH may hinder the starter’s growth.)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour (of choice)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar (or honey) for low carb flours

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup spring water (pH 7.  Most brands are pH 7.  Some brands such as Costco Kirkland has a pH of 8.5.  Higher than 7 pH may hinder the starter’s growth.)

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups oat fiber
• ¾ cup vital wheat gluten
• 2 tsp salt
• 3 tablespoons of psyllium
• 2 teaspoons double acting baking powder
• 3 teaspoons SAF Red Label Instant Yeast
• 3 teaspoons sugar or honey (for proofing yeast)

The Night Before:

1. Creating Preferment:In a sterilized glass container (with lid), add preferment ingredients.  Mix well into a fluffy dough. Cover the container and set in a warm area of the kitchen.
2. After measuring 1 cup of levain from your starter jar, you need to maintain your starter left in the jar:
3. Maintaining Your Starter:  After using 1 cup of your starter, you should have left about 1/4 amount in the glass jar.  Transfer this ¼ amount to a clean, sterilized jar.  Add 1 tablespoon of oat fiber to the jar. Add 1 tablespoon of vital wheat gluten to the jar. Pour 2 tablespoons of spring water into the jar. Using your jar spatula or chopstick, mix these ingredients together until they form a thick, pancake-like mixture.
4. Mix back and forth in a vertical direction, then pull up the mixture from the bottom and fold it over the top, and mix in circles.  This mixing process adds air to your starter to help it begin a new fermentation.
5. Put the lid loosely on the jar.
6. Place the jar back in a warm area of your kitchen.

Baking Day:

*The recipe calls for SAF Instant Dried Yeast, allowing you to add the dried yeast along with sugar or honey directly into the bread machine pan with the other ingredients. However, you can also proof the yeast in advance if you prefer this method; I personally enjoy proofing the yeast beforehand, as the sweet aroma enhances the baking experience. To do this, heat a cup of spring water in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds (depending on how hot it gets), then add the yeast and sugar or honey. Let it sit until a dome of foam forms, indicating that it’s ready to use.  Add it to the bread pan after the preferment and before the dry ingredients.

1. Pour the preferment mixture (wet ingredients) into the bread machine.
2. Add 1 cup spring water.
3. Add the dry ingredients on top of the wet ingredients, except for sugar and yeast.
4. Make a small well in the flour and add instant yeast and sugar (honey).

Set the Bread Machine:

6. Select the dough cycle on your bread machine for the longest cycle. This will mix and knead the dough.
7. Once the dough cycle is complete, let the dough rise in the bread machine until it nearly reaches the top of the pan.
8. Bake the bread according to your machine’s settings.

Baking Complete:

9. Once baking is complete, remove the bread from the machine and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.  Slices easier the next day.