LEMON GLAZE SOURDOUGH BREAD FOR COZY BAKING DAYS ☕

Buckle up, folks, because we’re about to embark on a baking adventure that’s equal parts delicious and delightfully unhinged. 😆 This lemon glaze sourdough bread is not your average loaf – it’s a culinary performance that’s going to have your tastebuds doing the happy dance. So, let’s get ready to knead, proof, and bake our way to some serious comfort food glory, shall we? 🍞✨

Why You’ll Love This lemon glaze sourdough bread

Hold onto your oven mitts, friends, because this lemon glaze sourdough bread is about to rock your world. 🌍 First off, the tangy, bright lemon glaze is like a hug for your taste buds — it’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and it takes this bread to a whole new level of flavor. 😋 But that’s not all — the sourdough base is oh-so-soft and pillowy, with a subtle tang that plays beautifully with the lemon.

And let’s not forget the irresistible crunchy crust that’ll have you reaching for just one more slice. (Yeah, right — who are we kidding? You’ll be back for seconds. 😉) If you’re curious about how sourdough texture and flavor develop, you might enjoy this beginner-friendly sourdough baking guide from King Arthur Baking.

This bread is like a cozy hug in carb form, and it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. 💃

Ingredients You’ll Need

Alright, let’s talk about the all-star cast of characters that make this lemon glaze sourdough bread the superstar it is. 🤩 You’ll need some good ol’ all-purpose flour, a pinch of salt, a touch of sugar, and a generous helping of lemon zest to really make that citrus flavor shine. 🍋 But the real star of the show is the sourdough starter – that tangy, bubbly wonder is what gives this bread its incredible texture and flavor. 👌 And let’s not forget the butter and milk, which add a rich, velvety crumb that’ll have you swooning. 😍 It’s a simple lineup, but when these ingredients come together, it’s like a symphony of baking magic. 🎶

• 2 1/4 cups (270g) — all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon — salt
• 2 tablespoons — granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons — lemon zest
• 1/4 cup (56g) — unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (240ml) — milk
• 1 cup (227g) — active sourdough starter

Ingredient Swaps (No Panic Allowed)

• Lemon zest → orange or grapefruit zest (still delicious, promise) ✅
• All-purpose flour → gluten-free flour blend (easy dietary swap) 👍

How to Make lemon glaze sourdough bread (Step-by-Step)

Alright, let’s get our bake on, shall we? 🍞 First up, we need to get our sourdough starter all nice and bubbly. 🕰️ Give it a good feed and let it do its thing until it’s ready to go. While that’s happening, we can start mixing up the dough. 🥣 Throw the flour, salt, sugar, and lemon zest into a big ol’ bowl, then add in the butter, milk, and that glorious sourdough starter. 🧹 Now, get in there with your hands and knead that dough until it’s smooth and elastic. 💪 Seriously, this is the fun part – let those frustrations out! 😤

Step 1: Proof the Dough

Once you’ve got your dough all nice and smooth, it’s time to let it rise. 🌙 Grab a large, greased bowl, pop that dough in there, cover it up, and let it do its thing for about 8 to 12 hours. (That’s right, we’re talking about some serious beauty sleep for this bread. 😴) During this time, the dough will double in size and develop all sorts of delicious, tangy flavors. 🍞

Step 2: Shape and Bake

Alright, nap time is over! 😆 Gently punch down the dough to release any air bubbles, then shape it into a nice, round loaf. 🍞 Plop it into a greased bread pan, cover it up, and let it rise for another 1-2 hours. 🕰️ Now, it’s time to bake! 🔥 Slide that baby into a preheated oven and let the magic happen. About 30-35 minutes later, you’ll have a golden-brown loaf of bread that’s practically begging to be sliced and smothered in that tantalizing lemon glaze. 🍋

Step 3: Make the Lemon Glaze

While the bread is baking, it’s time to whip up that lemon glaze that’s going to take this whole operation to the next level. 🤩 In a small bowl, whisk together some powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of milk until it’s smooth and pourable. 🥣 When the bread comes out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then drizzle that lemon goodness all over the top. 🍋 Trust me, this is the moment when your kitchen is going to smell like a little slice of heaven. 😇

Step 4: Let It Cool (If You Can)

Alright, the hard part is over, but you’ve still got to let your lemon glaze sourdough bread cool down a bit before you dive in. 😅 I know, I know – the temptation is real, but trust me, it’s worth the wait. Once the bread has had a chance to settle, you can slice into it and enjoy that magical combination of soft, tangy sourdough and sweet, citrusy glaze. 🍞🍋 It’s a flavor explosion that’s guaranteed to make your taste buds do a happy dance. 💃

How to Know It’s Done (No Guessing)

Alright, let’s talk about how to tell when this lemon glaze sourdough bread is ready to come out of the oven. 🔍

Look for

• A beautiful golden brown color all over the crust
• A hollow, drum-like sound when you gently tap the top of the loaf
• A light, airy feel when you give the bread a gentle squeeze

Avoid

• A pale, underbaked appearance
• A dense, heavy feel to the bread

If it’s too… here’s the fix

• Pale — Crank up the oven temperature by 25°F (12°C) and let it bake for a few more minutes
• Dark on the outside, raw on the inside — Cover the loaf with foil to prevent further browning

Optional temp note (only if it makes sense): Not needed here — visual cues are enough.

What to Do If It Goes Wrong (Fix-It Guide)

Alright, listen up, because we’re about to tackle some common bread-baking problems head-on. 💪

• Too salty — Drizzle on a little extra lemon glaze to balance out those flavors
• Too dry — Spritz or brush some milk or water onto the top of the loaf
• Too runny — Pop it back in the oven for a few more minutes until it’s nice and sturdy
• Not browning — Crank up the heat and let it go a little longer

Good news: almost everything is fixable. Panic is optional. 😌

Recipe Variations & Tips (Tiny Checklist, Big Energy)

Before you freestyle: run this quick checklist like a kitchen boss.

• Extra Flavor — Try adding chopped lemon zest or fresh thyme to the dough ✅
• Sweeter Glaze — Swap the lemon glaze for a honey or maple syrup version ✅
• Tasty Toppings — Sprinkle on crunchy sea salt, toasted nuts, or powdered sugar 🎉
• Bread Magic — Use the sourdough loaf for grilled cheese or French toast 🚀

Warning: This may cause sudden happiness and suspicious silence at the dinner table. Proceed responsibly. 😅

Serving & Storage

Topic	Notes
Best Serving Ideas	Slice it thick and serve it warm, with a big pat of butter melting on top. 🧈 It’s also amazing with a cup of hot tea or coffee for the ultimate cozy combo.
Fridge Storage	This lemon glaze sourdough bread will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, tightly wrapped or in an airtight container. 🥖
Freezer Storage	Want to make it last even longer? Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or foil and pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months. 🥶
Reheating	To reheat, simply slice and toast the bread in a toaster or oven until warmed through. 🔥

Nutrition Notes

Alright, let’s talk about the nutritional stats on this lemon glaze sourdough bread, shall we? 🍞 Now, I know you’re probably expecting me to say that it’s a total health food, but let’s be real – this is a bread-based treat, not a salad. 🥗 That being said, it does contain some good-for-you ingredients like sourdough starter, which is packed with beneficial gut bacteria, and lemon zest, which is a great source of vitamin C. 🍋 So you can feel a little better about indulging in a slice (or three) of this cozy, comforting bread. 😉

• Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/12 of the loaf)
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Protein: 6 g
• Carbs: 36 g
• Fat: 7 g
• Sodium: 300 mg

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