Sourdough Molasses Bread

This Sourdough Molasses Bread comes together in about 2 hours, and it’s all in one bowl, making it a quick and easy treat that your family will love! With its sweet, rich flavor and a delightful texture, this bread is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just enjoying warm from the oven.

Ingredients for Sourdough Molasses Bread

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups sourdough starter: This will be the star ingredient! Make sure it’s active and bubbly for the best rise.
• 1 cup warm water: Aim for about 100°F to help the yeast do its thing without killing it.
• 1/4 cup molasses: This delicious syrup adds sweetness and a lovely color to your bread.

Dry Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour: You can substitute with whole wheat or a gluten-free blend, but the texture may vary.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Just a couple pinches of salt enhances the flavor beautifully.
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast: If your sourdough starter is vigorous, you might be able to cut this back.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s Get Cooking!

1. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the sourdough starter, warm water, and molasses until well combined. The warm water will help activate the yeast and blend in the molasses, creating a smooth mixture. (This should take about 2-3 minutes!)
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and active dry yeast. This will ensure even distribution of the yeast throughout the bread.
3. Mix Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring with a spoon or spatula. Mix until a dough begins to form. (You might want to get in there with your hands to really bring it together!)
4. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes. You want it smooth and elastic, basically, it should feel like a soft pillow!
5. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, covering it with a clean cloth. Let it rise until doubled in size, which should take about 1 to 2 hours. This is the part where your kitchen starts smelling heavenly!
6. Preheat the Oven: About 15 minutes before your dough is ready, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Get that oven nice and hot so the bread has a chance to rise even more while baking.
7. Shape the Loaf: Once your dough has risen, punch it down gently to release some of the air, then turn it out onto the work surface. Shape it into a loaf by folding in the edges and rolling it gently.
8. Second Rise: Place your shaped loaf in a greased loaf pan and let it rise again, covered, for about 30 minutes. This is where the dough gets its final lift!
9. Bake the Bread: Bake your loaf for about 30 to 35 minutes or until it’s golden brown. You can check for doneness by tapping the bottom, it should sound hollow!
10. Cool and Slice: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. (Warning: the smell might drive you to tear off a piece sooner than you should!)

If you loved this Sourdough Molasses Bread, be sure to check out my best sourdough bread recipes !

Why This Recipe Works

Budget-Friendly

This Sourdough Molasses Bread is not only quick and easy to make, but it’s also made with affordable, everyday ingredients that you likely have on hand. Flour, salt, and molasses are staples in many pantries!

Customizable

The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. You can add seeds, nuts, dried fruits, or even herbs to make it your own. So, if you’ve got some leftover pumpkin seeds from the last baking adventure, toss those in!

Comfort Food

There’s something about the warm, sweet aroma that fills your kitchen as this bread bakes that makes it feel so cozy! It’s the kind of dish that wraps you in a hug totally perfect for chilly evenings or holiday gatherings.

Quick & Easy

With a total time of only about 2 hours, this recipe is fantastic for busy weeknights when you’re looking to whip up something delicious and impressive without spending all day in the kitchen.

Make-Ahead Friendly

You can also prepare the dough ahead of time and pop it in the fridge overnight for the first rise! Just bring it back to room temperature before shaping it. How handy is that?

How to Serve This Sourdough Molasses Bread

This Sourdough Molasses Bread is fantastic on its own, but it pairs beautifully with many accompaniments. Try it with:

• Butter and Jam: Spread some fresh butter and your favorite jam on a slice for a simple but satisfying breakfast.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: Drizzle some honey or maple syrup for an added touch of sweetness that’ll take your toast to the next level.
• Sandwiches: Use it as a base for sandwiches it holds up well with hearty fillings like turkey, cheese, or roasted veggies.
• Soup: Serve alongside a warm bowl of soup for a wholesome meal the whole family will love.

Storage Tips

• Fridge: You can store the bread in a sealed container or wrapped in foil for up to a week.
• Freezer Friendly: Yes! This bread freezes beautifully. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and it will last for about 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw it in the fridge overnight and pop it in the oven for a few minutes to freshen it up.
• Reheating: To reheat, simply warm a slice in a toaster or bake it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until warmed through.

This Sourdough Molasses Bread isn’t just a recipe; it’s a delightful way to bring everyone together! With its sweet flavor and comforting texture, it’s no wonder it has become a family favorite in my home.

Give it a try and let me know how it turns out! I’d love to hear your variations and any unique twists you put on this classic bread.

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Sourdough Molasses Bread

This cozy Sourdough Molasses Bread comes together in about 2 hours, perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying warm from the oven.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Servings: 10 slices

Course: Bread, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 130

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups sourdough starter Make sure it’s active and bubbly for the best rise.
• 1 cup warm water Aim for about 100°F to help the yeast do its thing without killing it.
• 1/4 cup molasses Adds sweetness and a lovely color to your bread.

Dry Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour Can be substituted with whole wheat or a gluten-free blend, but texture may vary.
• 1 teaspoon salt Enhances the flavor beautifully.
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast If your sourdough starter is vigorous, you might be able to cut this back.

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix together the sourdough starter, warm water, and molasses until well combined (2-3 minutes).
2. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and active dry yeast.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough begins to form.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and let it rise until doubled, about 1-2 hours.

Baking

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) about 15 minutes before dough is ready.
2. Once risen, punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and place it in a greased loaf pan.
3. Let it rise again, covered, for about 30 minutes.
4. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown; it should sound hollow when tapped.
5. Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

This bread is customizable; feel free to add seeds, nuts, dried fruits, or herbs. It also makes great sandwiches or pairs well with soups.