Sliced honey-wheat sourdough sandwich loaf with a soft tan crumb beside a loaf pan and honey dipper.

Everyday Bread - Active or hungry starter

One-Day Honey-Wheat Sourdough Sandwich Loaf

A soft, lightly sweet whole-wheat loaf with a flexible same-day rise, two simple sets of stretch and folds, and a dependable sandwich-ready crumb.

Total time
About 8 hr 20 min–11 hr 20 min
Hands-on
About 30 min
Yield
1 loaf
Starter
Active or hungry starter
Difficulty
Intermediate
Heat
400°F / 204°C
Pan or vessel
9 x 5-inch loaf pan

Gather first

Ingredients

Ingredients

Starter & Enrichment

  • 3/4 cup mature sourdough starter, active or hungry
  • 1 1/3 cups water, plus up to 3 Tbsp if needed
  • 2 Tbsp honey, or granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp avocado oil, neutral oil, or melted butter

Flour & Salt

  • 2 1/2 cups bread flour
  • 1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • As needed neutral oil, for greasing the loaf pan

Method

Step by step

Part 1

Mix the Dough

20-minute rest
  1. Mix the starter with 1 1/3 cups water until well combined.
  2. Add the honey and oil; mix until incorporated.
  3. Add both flours and the salt. Mix, then knead by hand until no dry flour remains and a cohesive, shaggy dough forms.
  4. If needed, knead in extra water 1 Tbsp at a time, using no more than 3 Tbsp.
  5. Leave the dough uncovered at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Part 2

Fold & Bulk Rise

6-8 hours
  1. Perform one set of stretch and folds, folding all four sides over the center. Cover and rest for 1 hour.
  2. Repeat the stretch and folds. Cover and bulk rise for 5 to 7 hours, or until the dough has approximately doubled.
    Set a check timer
    Choose when to check; the step's visual cues decide when it is ready.

Part 3

Shape & Final Rise

1-2 hours
  1. Lightly grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently flatten it into a rectangle about as wide as the pan.
  2. Roll into a snug loaf, pinch the seam and ends closed, and place seam-side down in the pan.
  3. Cover and rise for 1 to 2 hours, until the loaf looks noticeably puffy.
    Set a check timer
    Choose when to check; the step's visual cues decide when it is ready.

Part 4

Bake & Cool

About 1 hour
  1. During the final rise, preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Bake about 1 hour, until well browned and the center registers 200 to 210°F.
  3. Remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Part 5

Helpful Notes

For next time

My Kitchen Notes

Keep track of changes, room temperature, proofing cues, or anything you want to repeat next time.

Private to this device.

Finish well

After baking

Doneness, storage, and reheating notes for this recipe.

Doneness

Well browned; center at 200–210°F / 93–99°C

Storage

Cool completely before slicing; keep airtight for up to 3 days or freeze individual slices.

Reheat or serve

Toast slices or refresh the loaf at 350°F / 177°C until warmed through.