Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Bread Made Easy

Lemon blueberry sourdough bread is a comforting yet refreshing treat with a soft crumb that carries bright citrus flavor and bursts of sweet blueberry in every bite. It blends the ease of homemade sourdough with the joy of fruit filled baking and fills your kitchen with a warm inviting aroma. The process is calm and steady with plenty of hands off time which makes it easy to fit into any routine. The finished loaf becomes golden tender and full of fresh flavor. This guide walks you through each step clearly and also includes helpful tips nutrition details and a simple FAQ so you can bake a beautiful reliable loaf with confidence.

Ingredients for Needed

For the bread

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup active sourdough starter at room temperature
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Optional finish

• 1 tablespoon sugar for sprinkling
• Additional lemon zest for aroma

Step by Step Instructions

Step One Prepare the dough

Add the flour, starter, warm water, sugar, olive oil, vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice to a bowl. Mix until the dough comes together and feels sticky. Let it rest for ten minutes to hydrate and soften.

Step Two Knead and strengthen

After the rest knead the dough on a clean surface for six to eight minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Dust with a little flour only if needed. When it springs back gently to the touch place it back in the bowl cover it and let it rest for thirty minutes.

Step Three Add the blueberries

Gently stretch the dough into a rectangle and sprinkle the blueberries over it. Fold the dough to enclose the berries without crushing them then fold once more so they spread evenly. Cover and let it rest for thirty minutes.

Step Four Bulk rise

Let the dough rise for three to four hours until it looks puffy. During the rise give it two gentle stretch and fold sessions to strengthen the dough and keep the berries in place.

Step Five Shape the loaf

Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface and gently shape it into a round loaf, tucking the edges underneath. Place it in a floured proofing basket or a cloth lined bowl. Cover and let it rest for one to two hours until puffy and ready to bake.

Step Six Bake

Preheat the oven to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit with the pot inside. Place the dough on parchment and lower it into the hot pot. Bake covered for twenty minutes then uncovered for twenty to twenty five minutes until golden. Cool fully before slicing.

Tips for Customizing the Recipe

You can easily adjust this bread to suit your taste. For more sweetness use three tablespoons of sugar. For a brighter citrus flavor add extra lemon zest or a little more juice. Frozen blueberries work well and can be added straight from the freezer to avoid extra moisture. You can also fold in chopped nuts for a bit of crunch or add a little more olive oil for a softer crumb. If you want a deeper sour flavor let the shaped dough rise overnight in the refrigerator for a slower more complex finish.

Nutritional Information

This recipe makes a loaf that yields eight generous slices, with values that may vary slightly depending on the ingredients used. Each serving contains about two hundred sixty calories along with roughly fifty grams of carbohydrates, six grams of protein, three grams of fat, two grams of fiber and seven grams of natural sugars. The bread provides a pleasant balance of energy, light sweetness and gentle citrus flavor, making it satisfying without feeling heavy.

Serving Suggestions

Lemon blueberry sourdough bread is delicious on its own, but it pairs well with many simple additions. A warm slice with butter, cream cheese, honey or lemon curd feels extra comforting and highlights the bright citrus notes. It also works nicely with yogurt and berries for a fresh breakfast or with mild cheeses like cottage cheese or ricotta for a gentle savory contrast. Toasted slices become crisp at the edges and make a wonderful treat with afternoon tea. This bread also looks lovely on a table, making it an easy and crowd pleasing option for gatherings.

Frequently Asked Questions