Name: Heritage Sourdough Loaf (two-pan loaf method) 2 Loaves
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 475 min
Ingredients: 342 g freshly milled hard red wheat flour (38%); 558 g all-purpose flour (62%); 280 g active sourdough starter (100% hydration); 500-525 g water; 18 g fine sea salt; 8-12 g vital wheat gluten

There’s nothing quite like pulling a warm, soft loaf of sandwich bread out of the oven– especially when it’s made with your own freshly milled flour. This bread is light and tender, slices beautifully, and has a thin, golden crust that even picky kids love. It’s the perfect everyday loaf for sandwiches, toast, or just a warm slice with butter.

The recipe uses a blend of hard red wheat, kamut, and all-purpose flour to balance flavor and softness. Kamut adds a natural sweetness and golden color, while a touch of all-purpose flour helps keep it fluffy and light. The result? A wholesome, soft sandwich bread that feels homemade–not heavy.

Why You’ll Love This Bread

Soft texture: Perfect for sandwiches, without the dense bite some whole grain loaves have.
Kid-approved: Gentle crust, mild flavor, and soft enough for little teeth (no more bread crust battles!).
Nutritious and wholesome: Freshly milled grains bring real flavor and nutrients to the table.
Small loaf size: Just right for smaller families or when you bake fresh every few days.
Freezes beautifully: Slice and freeze for quick school lunches or easy toast mornings.

Kid-Friendly Tip

If your kids shy away from darker crusts or chewy edges, brush the loaf with milk before baking and butter right after it comes out of the oven. This keeps the crust tender, golden, and melt-in-your-mouth soft — just like store-bought, but way better

Ingredient Breakdown

Here’s what makes this loaf special:

Hard Red Wheat: Adds heartiness and a subtle nutty flavor — the foundation for structure.
Kamut Flour: Softens the dough and gives it that gentle sweetness and buttery color.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps lighten the texture so it’s soft and fluffy, not heavy.
Vital Wheat Gluten: A secret helper that boosts rise and softness in whole grain loaves.
Milk & Honey: Tenderize the crumb and help with that perfect golden crust.
Butter or Olive Oil: Keeps the bread soft and moist for days.

What You’ll Need

Flour

freshly milled red white wheat flour, Kamut & All-Purpose Flour

Vibrant yellow stand mixer on a kitchen countertop beside tableware and decor.

Equipment

stand mixer, 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan, Kitchen scale, Mixing bowl

DAIRY

Warm milk, and softened butter/oil

additional essentials

sugar or honey, salt, yeast

Step 1: Autolyse for softness:

Combine water, milk, all flours, and vital gluten in your Bosch mixer. Mix until just combined and shaggy. Cover and rest for 20–30 minutes to let the flour hydrate.

Step 2: Add remaining ingredients:

Sprinkle in yeast, honey, oil, and salt. Knead on speed 2 for 6–8 minutes, until dough is smooth and slightly tacky.

Step 3: First Rise

Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 60–75 minutes.

Step 4: Shape

Gently press out air, roll into a log, and place in a greased loaf pan seam-side down. Cover and rise again until dough crowns 1 inch above the pan (about 30–45 minutes).

Step 5: Bake:

Brush with milk for a soft brown crust. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–28 minutes, until golden and internal temp is about 190°F.

Step 6: Finish:

Brush warm loaf with butter. Cool fully before slicing.

Recipe FAQ

Yes! Use ½ kamut and ½ hard red wheat (total 300 g) and keep the vital wheat gluten. The bread will be slightly heartier but still soft.

You can — just mix it directly with your flour and skip the activation step.

Brush with milk before baking and butter after. Wrap in a clean towel while cooling to trap gentle steam.

Keep it in a bread bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or slice and freeze for longer storage.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe makes 1 small loaf.

Heritage Sourdough Loaf (two-pan loaf method) 2 Loaves

This Heritage Loaf Pan Sourdough is a return to real bread — made with hard red wheat, natural fermentation, and time-honored methods. Baked in a loaf pan for everyday use, it’s hearty yet soft, flavorful without being overly sour, and designed to nourish your family one slice at a time.

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 25

bulk fermentation 7

Total Time 7 55

Serving Size 10 slices

Equipment

Grain mill if using whole berries
Digital kitchen scale
Measuring cups and spoons
Mixing bowl or stand mixer
Dough hook or sturdy spoon
Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
Cooling rack

Ingredients

342 g freshly milled hard red wheat flour 38%
558 g all-purpose flour 62%
280 g active sourdough starter 100% hydration
500-525 g water
18 g fine sea salt
8-12 g vital wheat gluten

Instructions

Autolyse for softness:

Autolyse (don’t skip for lean dough) Mix all flour + 470 g water. Rest 45–60 minutes. This is what gives you softness without fat or sugar.

Mix:

Add: Starter, remaining water (as needed), and vital wheat gluten if using. Mix until cohesive and elastic. Rest 20 minutes, then add salt and mix until smooth.

Bulk Fermentation:

6-12 hours bulk fermentation. Do 3-4 sets of stretch and folds in first 2 hours. Bulk target: 50% rise, bubbles along edges, dough feels aerated but still strong. It will not look like plain flour. Do not push to double.

Pre-Shape:

Divide into two 790-820g pieces. Gently degas. Shape and create tension. Let rest for 20-30 minutes.

Final Shape

Final shape with light tension. Don't over-tighten because hard red will fight you. Put into loaf pan and refrigerate for 8-24 hours.

Bake:

Preheat 500℉. Create steam in oven. Score and mist prior to putting into oven. Place lid on top. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove lid after the 30 minutes and cook at 425℉ for 15 minutes.
Cool fully before slicing. Hard red needs time to set. Check internal temp for 200℉

Notes

- Notes & Tips
  - Watch the dough, not the clock.
    Fermentation time will vary based on room temperature, starter strength, and whether your flour is freshly milled. Look for a dough that’s airy, elastic, and has risen about 50–70% during bulk.
  - Freshly milled hard red absorbs more water.
    If your dough feels stiff early on, give it time. The bran needs longer to hydrate. A slightly tacky dough will bake up softer than one that’s too firm.
  - Autolyse matters with whole grain.
    Don’t skip it. Allowing the flour and water to rest helps soften the bran, improves extensibility, and supports better rise and crumb.
  - Pan size affects loaf height.
    Smaller pans will give you a taller loaf, while wider pans create a lower, sandwich-style profile. Adjust proof time accordingly.
  - Cold proofing enhances flavor.
    An overnight rest in the refrigerator deepens the wheat flavor and makes scoring and baking more forgiving the next day.
  - Tent if browning too quickly.
    Hard red wheat naturally bakes darker. If the top is browning before the loaf is finished, loosely cover with foil for the final portion of the bake.
  - Let it cool completely before slicing.
    Cutting too soon can compress the crumb and make the loaf seem gummy. Cooling allows the structure to set properly.
  - This loaf freezes beautifully.
    Slice once cooled, freeze in an airtight bag, and toast straight from frozen for fresh bread any time.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use store-bought flour instead of freshly milled?
Yes! All-purpose flour works too, but you’ll miss out on the extra flavor and nutrition from freshly milled wheat.

Do they stay crunchy in milk?
Yes — especially if you use hard white wheat. They’ll hold up for a good while without turning mushy.

Can I double the recipe?
Definitely. Just bake in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.

Can I make them less sweet?
Yes — reduce the sugar in the dough slightly, but keep the topping for that signature cinnamon-sugar flavor.