Claire Saffitz Makes Sourdough Bread | Dessert Person

Thanks to Made In Cookware for being the sponsor of this episode! You can get my favorite cookware from Made In today with a 10% off discount on your first order over $100 using my link - madein.cc/1123-claire
Bread is what I make when I feel happy, or sad, or stressed -- or just when I am in the mood for fresh, delicious, bread! The process is just as rewarding as the end result, so it’s never too late to learn the basics of sourdough bread-baking. Here Claire walks you through the steps, especially the home-friendly method of baking bread in a Dutch oven.
Claire Saffitz Makes Sourdough Bread | Dessert Person
#ClaireSaffitz #Sourdough #Bread
Claire's Sourdough Bread:
Makes 2 Loaves
500g bread flour
500g random other flours
850g water
200g Sourdough Starter
20g Salt
Special Equipment
Dutch Oven
Kitchen Scale
Bench Scraper
Bowl Scraper
Sifter
Bread Lame
Video Breakdown:
0:00 Start
0:08 Cabin Update
0:58 Dessert Person Jingle
1:20 Into To Sourdough Bread
3:55 Baker's Percentages
4:52 Weigh The Flours
6:44 What is Autolyse
9:27 The Float Test
16:21Bulk Fermentation
20:29 Pre-shaping Bread
24:58 Shaping Your Bread
27:25 Proofing
37:20 Slice & Eat + Outro
Thanks for watching!
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Photographer: Alex Lau
Food Stylist: Sue Li
Prop Stylist: Astrid Chastka
Video Series:
Producer/Director: @VincentCross
Camera Operator: Calvin Robertson
Sound Engineer/Music: Michael Guggino
Editor: Hal McFall
Animation Credits:
Character Designer/Animator: Jack Sherry
Character Rigger: Johara Dutton
Background/Prop Designer: M. Cody Wiley
Background Illustrator: Jagriti Khirwar

[@CSaffitz]

So excited to be back! Bread is what I make when I feel happy, or sad, or stressed -- or just when I am in the mood for fresh, delicious, bread! Let me know any questions you may have about bread in the comments below!

[@nayyabmughal1123]

Welcome back. Looking forward to your videos.

[@ArgentAbendAzure]

Good to have you back. Onward with the baking. 😊

[@irenegoyette9086]

Hooray! You're back and it's with SOURDOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@laurenschenck5355]

Welcome back Claire! so excited for more amazing videos 🌈🍀💚

[@nomisanchez7195]

So happy to have you back and Baking bread is better then yoga!!

[@juliebuchsbaum]

I have named my sourdough starter Claire Sourfitz in your honor. Your videos have been so inspiring and make me feel so much more comfortable in my kitchen!

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Reminds me of her old nickname back at BA, Half-Sour Saffitz.

[@laurenmkay]

Omg I named mine Claire too lol

[@francish6695]

my starter is called Sour Saffitz lol

[@laurabowles]

Claire: "I love doing the dough by hand. It's so primal." Also Claire, 2 seconds later: "I don't want to do this anymore."

[@mominetti]

Btw, she already made a video on sourdough on NYT Cooking channel...😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3u1hHljr6marM0

[@Chefmeia]

Every baker 😅

[@anniegorges4605]

Even though I know it's coming, the suspense while waiting for the "mmm" verdict is palpable haha

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

She can really hold an audience.

[@sandra37cooks]

This is the best, most clear explanation of making bread I've ever seen! Thank you!

[@CSaffitz]

You are so welcome!

[@milesgillespie6665]

@@CSaffitz Make sure you've got shower-caps on hand... I kid. But Clare, I wish you were the pastry chef where I used to work. Our pastry chef was good, she just didn't like anyone, nor did she like to share her methods.

[@MarshaABranch]

Came here to make exactly this comment. So, now I'll just say "Ditto!"

[@tati.l.]

Welcome back, team!! 🎉🎉🎉 And Claire gets a kitchen at the cabin?? The moment we have all been waiting for!

[@johnnydeppisarapistjohnnyd8962]

-come over and see-‘The Audio Recording Where Amber Heard Almost Died’

[@hoangthuctrang98]

The Queen herself shares her sourdough bread recipe, the treasure map, the way of life. We are BLESSED 🍞🍞🍞

[@MadeInCookware]

Welcome Back Claire & Team! So excited to bake some bread with you.

[@connormack7153]

i have been having a rough couple weeks and this past weekend i was gifted a sourdough starter, and today was one of the first days i was feeling good and more myself and THEN, a sourdough video was posted after Claire’s hiatus. the universe is speaking to me

[@EmmaDuncan8740]

I have been looking into making sour dough lately and found a beginner course for free on the internet that is supposed to be the most simplified form of this. I left that course feeling confused and not that confident. But this video was so easy to follow and I feel like I could actually do it!! Thanks 😊

[@JenniferJadeKerr]

I actually teared up when the themesong started in this video. Bit of goodness for my day. Claire and friends, thanks for being part of our lives ❤

[@Katheverett]

Me too! So happy to hear that song!

[@endymion2001]

You have the greatest way of teaching, information without it being scarily overwhelming. Thanks!

[@FoodwithChetna]

Looks great!

[@TraumaMomma]

I love it when I see a foodie I follow comment on another foodie that i follow!

[@johnnytsunami420]

Chetna 🥰

[@AlexandraAndStuff]

A couple of weeks ago I made my first ever sourdough bread using Claire's instructions and it was a total success, both looks and taste were awesome. And I am Polish, we are raised on great bread. Thank you, Claire!

[@joel-cx7hm]

do u need the dutch oven?

[@AlexandraAndStuff]

@@joel-cx7hm I would say so. There are different ways, but dutch oven seem to me like the best and easiest way to control the environment, the usage of the steam, etc

[@TaySelDemMil]

After the It's Alive sourdough bread video and the one by NTY Cooking, this is the third time I'm watching Claire make sourdough bread and I regret nothing! I'd watched a fourth and fifth video, too. I don't care. It's like meditation!

[@kayrabey1344]

You are the first person that explained the percentages that I’ve understood! Amazing!

[@CorpusSans]

Claire showing off her bread so happily is one of the joys in life I aspire to have one day.

[@mariahn5764]

Yay! Not to mention, a lot of us started sourdough in the pandemic because you couldn’t buy commercial yeast! Remember the days of empty grocery shelves? Couldn’t buy bread so we wanted to bake it, but couldn’t bake it because we couldn’t buy yeast, so sourdough made sense. Now though, I bake for fun and the ritual ❤️ 🥖

[@aslanpatience8278]

Now we have a flipping egg scare lol... Both health wise and the supply chain, so over this absurd situation.

[@aslanpatience8278]

Should also mention that bread is life and I couldn't agree with you more 😊

[@rachaelhoffman-dachelet2763]

@@aslanpatience8278 Next trend: urban chickens.

[@tati.l.]

An official welcome to Olive to the Dessert Person fam! She is a beaut, Vinny!

[@DavidSamveljan]

FORTY MINUTES OF CLAIRE!!!!!!!!! This must be heaven✨

[@literallynoone275]

I MISSED YOU CLAAAIREEE! FINALLY SOURDOUGH!!

[@crystalrockbc]

I used your techniques and applied them to my gluten free loaf. It just came out of the oven and is looking beautiful

[@daisyblooms4813]

I just ordered this Dutch oven in red! Thanks for the discount, Claire! Can't wait to try some bread. The perfect pause between "verdict" going up and the "mmm" made me laugh so hard! Love you guys! :-)

[@Johnny-ci8mw]

I’m never going to make this, but I will watch every minute of this video.

[@daisyblooms4813]

Me too ! I'm going to be looking for a recipe like, "bread for dummies" :-)

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

@@daisyblooms4813 If you're seriously looking into getting into bread, I'd suggest King Arthur Flour's recipe for "The Easiest Loaf of Bread." It was the first bread I ever baked and it's pretty good.

[@cinthyagonzalez1243]

This was so perfectly timed, a coworker just gave me starter and I was going to give sourdough a go. I was just wishing you had a video on it and well here we are haha

[@solotrain4959]

Did I just effortlessly watch a 40+ minute video of baking bread? Yess I did! Even surprised myself!

[@savanahdurrant7110]

I really love how passionate she is. You can see that she has dedicated her life to what she loves and you can see how happy it makes her! I love watching your videos! Even though I’m gluten free and can’t enjoy most of what she makes.

[@livebearerdad]

finally! a reason to wake up on thursday mornings again!

[@vamm4546]

YAY!!! You're back Claire!! Love ya! My daughter (age 27) and I love to make sourdough bread because of you. It's a great Mom and daughter day ❤️

[@yarnexpress]

I'm 75 yrs old and today I figured out how to deal with that very, heavy, & hot Dutch Oven. I learned how to work without ever having to lift the Dutch Oven while it's hot. My oven is below my range like Claire's. Put the cold DO with cover into the oven then start the oven. When ready to bake, pull the oven rack out far enough to access. Remove the lid. Lower the bread into the DO using the parchment paper then lid up & close up. Remove the lid, when ready, as before. To remove the loaf pull out the rack & remove the loaf using Claire's tongs & parchment paper technique. Shut off the oven with the DO & lid inside until cool. Thank you, Claire, for your hint about using parchment paper as a "loaf transporter"! I baked 2 sourdough rye loaves w/carraway today--still to hot to cut--can hardly wait to taste.

[@ithappensometimes]

This is so timely. I made my first starter (Mathilde) this week and have felt so far behind the trend! It's a little overwhelming to jump into so much information so I'm grateful for the arrival of this video.

[@Issor_Rossi]

THE WAIT IS WORTH IT!!!

[@sadheart209]

After having five or so years of making sourdough bread (very simplified and basic recipe), I finally watched your video on this and was so inspired to try your tips and advice that you offer. I baked today (and yesterday), and the results are marvelous. Thank you so very much, Claire, your instruction was wonderful and I am thrilled with my loaves now. You are a wonderful teacher and I look forward to many more videos from you. Thank you for all you do.

[@jennamilleryall]

Claire! You absolute goddess! I just removed the lid on my loaf and I’ve never accomplished such a beautiful rise. 🙌❤️ I could cry, thank you thank you thank you!!!!

[@jonk5628]

I know you did sourdough on NYT, but I always hoped and prayed we’d get to see you do it in your kitchen. I never thought I’d get to see it! I’m ill at the moment and this has been the nicest surprise, so thank you. Also, you make it look so easy. I’ve been doing it for a few months and still developing my practice. I’m inspired to have another go.

[@chaeburger]

I just took my starter out of the freezer this week! I've been taking the time to revive it. This video came out at the perfect time!

[@Piruluz]

Girrrrl, I made this bread. It was my second sourdough bread, and I got great oven spring and a beautiful ear! I was so happy. I was dancing in the kitchen. Thank you, Claire!!! The only thing was that the edge of my ear got burned, but I don't care. I'm taking the ear as a success. It was beautiful. xxXXXXxx

[@BeeYeah87]

You are so good at teaching. I’ve been making sourdough for a couple years and you explained a lot of steps I was doing so well. I didn’t really understand the hydration or percentage part, but just followed the recipe I had. I feel like I am able to troubleshoot problems so much better now that I the reason by a lot of my steps! Thank you!

[@babszollak2512]

I really enjoy her teachings. She gives you the reason for doing it a certain way and she clearly loves what she is doing. I loved at the end how much she said she loves bread and stated, "I am going to eat the rest of this loaf", not piece that she cut, but loaf. :)

[@torizito9347]

45 minutes of claire we are BLESSED

[@asaldanapr]

This is the best sourdough tutorial I have seen. You say two years too late but it is perfecting all the ones I have seen before. It was well worth the wait. You are a perfectionist when it comes to teaching and “that’s a good thing”!

[@lrom5445]

I've used Claire's recipe from NYT since the episode came out. Always produces very pleasant breads with great crumb. I apparently do not have the same size Dutch ovens and had to shrink the recipe slightly. Great episode to come back to after the break.

[@Shabidoo1]

I like the way Claire speaks of the dough as if it was a sentient being with tendencies, desires, and needs.

[@lawrencesaylol]

The way you pre-think of newbies fears, potential harms, ways it would be easy to mess up, and also just saying look it may not work but that’s the fun of it. You’re such an amazing teacher

[@lizayra7172]

YAY! New video!! The best one you could post right now, I have made 2 sourdough loaves so far and am excited to learn more!!

[@unit--ns8jh]

The only thing I like more than sourdough bread is Claire, so Claire doing a sourdough bread video is officially the best thing ever :)

[@lawrencesaylol]

I love how your videos are edited. The little affectations are subtlety done, blink and you’d miss it almost. But very amusing, and the low-keyness is just on brand. Perfect.

[@oldwelshwitch]

I’m a bit late to the sourdough party but I’ve been wanting to make it for years. Struggling with timing the feeding of my starter and when to start the autolyse, but I think tomorrow morning is the time! The timeline is the trickiest part for me.

[@user-dg7sy8cz3b]

I like using the handle of a wooden spoon to mix the flour and water. I oil it with olive oil first for easier clean up. It works for inoculating the dough with your starter too. Less mess means more bread. Thanks Claire! You’re an inspiration

[@TenderheartPC]

I started making sourdough several weeks ago. I was well versed (for a home cook) in other types of cooking but had very limited experience with handmade breads. My first loaf was hilariously bad but I realized my mistakes as I went along and corrected them on the next batch. Since then it has turned into an obsession/fascination with the process. Its so therapeutic, relaxing, and rewarding. I'm making 1-3 loaves every few days. My family is loving the fresh homemade bread. I learn a little more each time and it's a joy to make. I used your tips from a prior video to correct my mistakes and broaden my understanding of the technique. Thank you! Much respect and gratitude.

[@EricaChiarkas]

Super glad I found this video because the information is everything I needed. But I don't think I've ever seen a video with so many ads. Glory be

[@spotdogit]

Outstanding work, Team DP. Claire, that has to be the most well planned and executed recipe exhibition I’ve seen. So much real knowledge given and such attention to detail. Plus, congrats on the Made In sponsorship. What a beautiful Dutch oven! Welcome back 😃👏👏👏

[@johnnytsunami420]

Because this is the internet, I just wanna let you know that you might want to avoid writing the letters "DP" at any cost in any way

[@jessehachey2732]

@@johnnytsunami420 😂😂😂

[@7csoccer]

Bread and butter is definitely also in my top favorite foods. Nothing like it!

[@evahomemade-Ke]

You are the queen of sour dough bread,had given up until I watched 2of your videos

[@johnnytsunami420]

I love love Claire's approach to this. This recipe is so flexible and easy to follow with any mix of flours you have lying around. Awesome.

[@Bluetwo33]

Thank you Claire! That was the very best explanation of making a sourdough loaf ever. Love your thoroughness!

[@dwrecktheanimal]

I LOVE how much I learn from you, unexpected knowledge, just lots of amazing hacks. Claire I respect you so much; thanks for being so inspiring.

[@beautybymalcolm165]

Been waiting for the updated thread video!!! I started making bread because of you and it really is now one of my favorite things to do, you are absolutely correct (in my opinion) in saying it is a very meditative and rejuvenating process

[@synnveskaaheim8283]

LOVE your videos Claire, I've learned so much! And although I have your cookbook, watching a video where I get to see visually what to do before actually making the dish/cake has been honestly so so helpful!

[@Mvvb123]

This is what i look for when it comes to food content! Thank you so much for your wisdom you're extremely talented!

[@jenniferspaeth2757]

Yay!! I was so looking forward to today's episode! Great way to come back. A friend offered me some starter recently and now I am going to take her up on her offer.

[@someoneinnz]

I made a sourdough, my oven seemed too hot so got it out early thinking it wasn't going to be great. It is amazing, so tangy! Nothing like store bought. Inside there is a great chew to it which i love. I had sourced local, organic stoneground flour and it is so blimmin yum!

[@johnnytsunami420]

Claire and Erin McDowell just keep pumping out these engaging, high quality master classes for the public it's amazing 👏

[@bermei5187]

This was so informative and easy to understand. Claire explained a lot of things that I haven't seen other people explain. Someone who's never touched an oven in their life could bake the perfect bread following along with this video.

[@kristenbylenga]

This was amazing timing as I just got back into sourdough! A slow immensely rewarding process!

[@johnhamilton9229]

Your efforts in creating this video is greatly appreciated. You shared more information than most but in a way that was calming with a joyful tone. My favorite part was slicing the tops. Thanks

[@nayyabmughal1123]

Had huge smile on my face knowing she's back.

[@DuyNguyen-yx2vd]

This is probably the 4th sourdough video that Claire has done, and I watched it all the way through anyway.

[@trisharamsey1385]

Love this, thank you! I never understood the percentages until now!

[@Lex111h]

So glad your back. Fell down the sourdough rabbit hole a while ago. Always can learn something new!

[@mcmcguire25]

CLAAIRREEE IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS 🤩🤩🤩 I made your NY times recipe as my first sourdough bread and it was so delicious!!

[@annasteel8530]

So deeply comforting and engaging I loved every second of it

[@shlee3900]

After watching this video, I brought out my started that was sitting in my fridge for the past few months and fed it. Happy to report that the starter is still alive so excited to try this!

[@chunk2689]

You forever inspire me. You present your recipes in such a way you make them feel so approachable!!!

[@miseentrope]

Welcome back to Claire, crew, and critters. We missed you and/but understand life and project obligations. Much love and appreciation. 🥰

[@TheMayra1393]

Claire, you are so inspiring and a great teacher. Thanks for these amazing videos ❤

[@o-o-olivia9249]

Wow Claire! This weekend was my first time making sourdough and I used this video as my guide. My loaves look artisanal. I am so excited, THANK YOU!!!

[@hattieburton]

I teach yoga and the whole time you were describing how the bread making process feels to you, it reminded me of yoga for me then you made the same connection at the end! Your passion is so inspiring, thank you :)

[@AussieAngeS]

Omg I have missed you and your baking videos Claire, I really loved this bread, it looks like a great recipe. Thank you once again for a great video 🌺

[@suzilahlah]

Dessert Person just arrived on my doorstep and in time to take place in my purposely built bookshelf in my newly renovated kitchen. I can't wait to try the foccacia recipe in the book and now this one you've just kindly gave us. Hello from Australia

[@jessechavez89]

Wrote these instructions on a check list for myself. My starter has finally matured and I’m trying out the process today for the first time. Thanks for the details and explanation of the phases. Hoping tomorrow yields a nice loaf

[@patworfka143]

I appreciate this channel and your videos so much! So glad you made this series/channel happen.

[@lolam.9291]

I have been making my own bread for a few years now, and love LOVE making sourdough bread. I compare making sourdough bread to meditating. It’s just so relaxing to me. I wish I can make it everyday!!!

[@Qaetan]

Thank you for such a detailed explanation throughout the baking process!

[@SalesforceTayler]

I’ll be baking my sourdough loaves tomorrow morning. this episode revived my desire to bake and has helped a lot. Thanks!

[@crimsoncooking]

I just started my starter 2 days ago I’m so glad you made this 😭

[@Olivia-yc4uq]

PERFECT timing for spring break!!!!

[@dominikaujlaky8282]

This turned out *perfectly*. What a fun project with huge reward!

[@christianthoren2881]

There are so many various "hidden" tips in this video.... love it ( as a sour dough beginner )!

[@JWAChicago]

So I got excited to try this. I for sure doubted myself each step of the way. However, my bread turned out great. I'm so happy about it. I did end up using most of my starter. I've restarted a new batch of starter and will do this whole thing again. Thanks for all the good tips and know-how, Claire. Take care.

[@bdfwhhsb]

Missed these videos Claire!! Glad you are back!! Can’t wait to try this.

[@abrasiverainbows]

favorite video to fall asleep to, what a grounding process 🥰

[@stil143]

I followed your recipe from NYT and I was SHOCKED I did it. LoL! It came out great, thanks to your clear and easy to follow instructions.

[@aiiipham]

I am so inspired to try sourdough again! Thank you for making this video~

[@samyu2971]

thank you! you explain the steps so well. I have made them with inconsistent results. Will use your method.

[@pollyhedron7998]

so happy to see you again.... bread dough is almost therapeutic

[@bryghian]

I have my starter for 4 years now, still kicking and alive as ever. Named her Soury. I love her. I made it with Claire and Brad back 4 years ago or so.

[@user-nx5sw4ic8l]

This was an amazing video filled with so much detailed information at each step! Thank you so much.

[@nicoleelizabeth6693]

I love Clair, hahaha especially when she says that she loves mixing the dough by hand, it's primal and hasn't changed much over the centuries, then immediately says (in next clip) she doesn't want to continue mixing even though she could/should 😅😅😅 🤭

[@LauruxGO]

Glad you´re back! I would love a video on starting a sourdough starter