Beginner's Sourdough Bread | The Perfect Loaf
New to baking bread? Start with this easy and comprehensive guide to a beginner's sourdough bread to make delicious sourdough at home!
which is very easy
Now, it’s time to bake your sourdough bread. It’s not a difficult step, but there are some things to know. The oven needs steam for the best crust and tallest rise. I like to use a Dutch oven or combo cooker, <anchor>which is very easy</anchor>. These pots trap the steam released from the dough and provide the right environment for it to rise optimally.
Baking Bread in a Dutch Oven | The Perfect Loaf
Baking Bread in a Dutch Oven \| The Perfect Loaf

[Instagram Circular Icon](https://www.instagram.com/maurizio/)[Facebook Circular Icon](https://facebook.com/maurizio)[Pinterest Circular Icon](https://pinterest.com/theperfectloaf)[YouTube Circular Icon](https://www.youtube.com/@theperfectloaf)

[![The Perfect Loaf Logo](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20115%20115'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com)

[TPL Membership](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/membership/) [Log in](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/?memberful_endpoint=auth)

- [Start Here](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/new-baker-start-here/)

- [Guides ▾](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/)Close Guides ▾Open Guides ▾













#### Latest Guides











[![How I store my sourdough starter in the fridge for vacation](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20800%20533'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/how-to-store-a-sourdough-starter-in-the-fridge-for-vacation/)



### [How To Store a Sourdough Starter in the Fridge for Vacation](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/how-to-store-a-sourdough-starter-in-the-fridge-for-vacation/)



[![Determining the ideal dough hydration.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20800%20533'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/how-to-make-your-own-bread-recipe-by-combining-two-favorites/)



### [How To Make Your Own Bread Recipe By Combining Two Favorites](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/how-to-make-your-own-bread-recipe-by-combining-two-favorites/)



















#### Guides











- [Beginner’s Guide to Sourdough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/sourdough/)
- [All About Sourdough Starters](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/sourdough-starter/)
- [How To: Mix Bread Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/mixing-bread-dough/)
- [How To: The Autolyse Technique](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/how-to-autolyse/)
- [How To: Bulk Fermentation](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/the-ultimate-guide-to-bread-dough-bulk-fermentation/)
- [How To: Shape Bread Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/shaping-bread-dough/)
- [How To: Proof Bread Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/proofing-bread-dough/)
- [How To: Score and Bake Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/the-ultimate-guide-to-baking-bread-dough/)
- [All About Sourdough Pizza](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/sourdough-pizza/)
- [All Guides →](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/)

Menu

- [Beginner’s Guide to Sourdough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/sourdough/)
- [All About Sourdough Starters](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/sourdough-starter/)
- [How To: Mix Bread Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/mixing-bread-dough/)
- [How To: The Autolyse Technique](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/how-to-autolyse/)
- [How To: Bulk Fermentation](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/the-ultimate-guide-to-bread-dough-bulk-fermentation/)
- [How To: Shape Bread Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/shaping-bread-dough/)
- [How To: Proof Bread Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/proofing-bread-dough/)
- [How To: Score and Bake Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/the-ultimate-guide-to-baking-bread-dough/)
- [All About Sourdough Pizza](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/sourdough-pizza/)
- [All Guides →](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/)

- [Recipes ▾](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/recipes/)Close Recipes ▾Open Recipes ▾













#### Recipes











- [Starter Discard](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/collections/sourdough-starter-discard-recipes/)
- [Sourdough for Beginners](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/sourdough-for-beginners/)
- [Sourdough Pizza](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/sourdough-pizza/)
- [Sweet Sourdough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/sweet/)
- [Freshly Milled Flour](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/fresh-milled-flour/)
- [Wood Fired Oven](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/wood-fired-oven/)
- [All Recipes →](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/recipes/)

Menu

- [Starter Discard](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/collections/sourdough-starter-discard-recipes/)
- [Sourdough for Beginners](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/sourdough-for-beginners/)
- [Sourdough Pizza](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/sourdough-pizza/)
- [Sweet Sourdough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/sweet/)
- [Freshly Milled Flour](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/fresh-milled-flour/)
- [Wood Fired Oven](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/wood-fired-oven/)
- [All Recipes →](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/recipes/)

#### Latest Recipes

[![Slice of sourdough starter discard banana bread.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20800%20533'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/bakers-sourdough-discard-banana-bread/)

### [Baker’s Sourdough Discard Banana Bread](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/bakers-sourdough-discard-banana-bread/)

[![Sourdough filoncini (twisted baguettes)](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20800%20533'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/green-olive-filoncini-twisted-baguettes/)

### [Green Olive Filoncini (Twisted Baguettes)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/green-olive-filoncini-twisted-baguettes/)

- [Baking Tools ▾](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/my-baking-tools/)Close Baking Tools ▾Open Baking Tools ▾













#### Baking Tools











- [All My Favorite Bread Tools](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/my-baking-tools/)
- [Best Baking Tools (Reviews)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/best-baking-tools/)
- [Mixing Water Temp Calculator](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/water-temperature-calculator/)
- [Starter and Levain Calculator](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/starter-and-levain-calculator/)

Menu

- [All My Favorite Bread Tools](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/my-baking-tools/)
- [Best Baking Tools (Reviews)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/best-baking-tools/)
- [Mixing Water Temp Calculator](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/water-temperature-calculator/)
- [Starter and Levain Calculator](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/starter-and-levain-calculator/)

#### Baking Resources (Downloads)

- [Baker’s Note-taking Sheet](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/the-simplest-way-i-improved-my-baking-using-this-baking-notes-worksheet/)
- [Sourdough Starter and Levain Quicksheet Reference](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/sourdough-starter-and-levain-quicksheet/)
- [Bread Baker’s Handbook](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/sourdough-bread-bakers-handbook/)

Menu

- [Baker’s Note-taking Sheet](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/the-simplest-way-i-improved-my-baking-using-this-baking-notes-worksheet/)
- [Sourdough Starter and Levain Quicksheet Reference](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/sourdough-starter-and-levain-quicksheet/)
- [Bread Baker’s Handbook](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/sourdough-bread-bakers-handbook/)

#### Latest Tool Posts

[![Famag spiral dough mixer](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20800%20533'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/how-to-mix-bread-dough-with-a-famag-spiral-mixer/)

### [How to Mix Bread Dough With a Famag Spiral Mixer](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/how-to-mix-bread-dough-with-a-famag-spiral-mixer/)

[![The Best Kitchen Scale For Making Bread](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20800%20533'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/the-best-kitchen-scale-for-making-bread/)

### [The Best Kitchen Scale for Making Bread](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/the-best-kitchen-scale-for-making-bread/)

- [About ▾](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/about/)Close About ▾Open About ▾













#### About The Perfect Loaf











The Perfect Loaf is an independent website dedicated to helping you bake the best sourdough bread & pizza in your home kitchen.











[Learn More →](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/about/)















[![the perfect loaf about](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20800%20512'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/about/)



### [About The Perfect Loaf](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/about/)



[![Ostuni, Italy from a distance.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20800%20532'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/travel/)



### [Travel and Workshops](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/travel/)

- [Cookbook](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/cookbooks/)

- [Membership](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/membership/?utm_source=tpl-internal&utm_content=site-header)

- [🔍](#search)


[![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20486%2088'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com)

[Sign Up](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/membership/) [Log in](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/?memberful_endpoint=auth)

- [Start Here](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/new-baker-start-here/ "Get started with sourdough.")
- [Guides](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/ "Guides to making sourdough bread at home.")
  - [Beginner’s Guide to Sourdough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/sourdough/)
  - [All About Sourdough Starters](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/sourdough-starter/)
  - [How To: Mix Bread Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/mixing-bread-dough/)
  - [How To: The Autolyse Technique](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/how-to-autolyse/)
  - [How To: Bulk Fermentation](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/the-ultimate-guide-to-bread-dough-bulk-fermentation/)
  - [How To: Shape Bread Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/shaping-bread-dough/)
  - [How To: Proof Bread Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/proofing-bread-dough/)
  - [How To: Score and Bake Dough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/the-ultimate-guide-to-baking-bread-dough/)
  - [All About Sourdough Pizza](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/sourdough-pizza/)
  - [All Guides →](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/)
- [Recipes](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/recipes/ "All sourdough recipes.")
  - [Starter Discard](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/collections/sourdough-starter-discard-recipes/)
  - [Sourdough for Beginners](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/sourdough-for-beginners/)
  - [Sourdough Pizza](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/sourdough-pizza/)
  - [Sweet Sourdough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/sweet/)
  - [Freshly Milled Flour](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/recipes/fresh-milled-flour/)
  - [Wood Fired Oven](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/category/wood-fired-oven/)
  - [All Recipes →](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/recipes/)
- [Baking Tools](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/my-baking-tools/ "The best tools for baking sourdough bread.")
  - [All My Favorite Bread Tools](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/my-baking-tools/)
  - [Best Baking Tools (Reviews)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/best-baking-tools/)
  - [Mixing Water Temp Calculator](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/water-temperature-calculator/)
  - [Starter and Levain Calculator](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/starter-and-levain-calculator/)
- [About](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/about/ "About Maurizio Leo and The Perfect Loaf")
- [Cookbook](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/cookbooks/ "Learn about Maurizio’s cookbooks.")
- [Membership](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/membership/?utm_source=tpl-internal&utm_content=site-header "Join The Perfect Loaf’s community.")

# Baking Bread in a Dutch Oven

[![The Perfect Loaf Logo](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%2088%2089'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.theperfectloaf.com)

The Perfect Loaf is an independent website dedicated to helping you bake the best sourdough bread & pizza in your home kitchen.

### Sign up to the newsletter for recipes, guides, & more.

Subscribe

[Instagram Circular Icon](https://www.instagram.com/maurizio/)[Facebook Circular Icon](https://facebook.com/maurizio)[Pinterest Circular Icon](https://pinterest.com/theperfectloaf)[YouTube Circular Icon](https://www.youtube.com/@theperfectloaf)

- [Beginner’s Guide to Sourdough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/sourdough/)
- [Sourdough Recipes](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/recipes/)
- [Sourdough Baking Guides](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/)
- [My Baking Tools](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/my-baking-tools/)
- [About The Perfect Loaf](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/about/)
- [Membership](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/membership/)
- [Newsletter](https://theperfectloaf.com/newsletter)
- [Cookbook](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/cookbooks/)

- [Beginner’s Guide to Sourdough](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/sourdough/)
- [Sourdough Recipes](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/recipes/)
- [Sourdough Baking Guides](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/)
- [My Baking Tools](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/my-baking-tools/)
- [About The Perfect Loaf](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/about/)
- [Membership](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/membership/)
- [Newsletter](https://theperfectloaf.com/newsletter)
- [Cookbook](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/cookbooks/)

[Privacy](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/privacy-policy/)  \| [Accessibility](https://www.theperfectloaf.com/accessibility)

## © The Perfect Loaf 2024   Content may not be used without permission.   Baking 🍞 since 2013.