Fall weather is here to stay, but that doesn’t mean we must say goodbye to summer flavors! Blueberries, in my opinion, deserve a place in our pantry all year round, and so does sourdough. If you’re looking for a burst of color, juiciness, and flavor, blueberries are the perfect fruit to add to sourdough bread. Today we’re making blueberry sourdough bread!
About this blueberry sourdough bread
In our home, blueberries are a staple. We use them as snacks, to make muffins, in smoothies, ice cream, oatmeal, pancakes… you name it! Blueberries are a nutritional powerhouse and we try our best to eat them often.
These berries are packed with more antioxidants than many other fruits and vegetables; they’re high in soluble fiber, low in calories, and relatively low in carbohydrates compared to other fruits (which is important if you need to monitor your blood sugar).
They’re not called a superfood for nothing! Let’s combine all these benefits with sourdough bread to make a delicious blueberry sourdough bread that I’m sure you will love.
Why blueberries?
Blueberries are very nutritious and make a healthy addition to our diets. Just 100 g of blueberries (about 2/3 of a cup) provides 24% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin K1, 16% of Vitamin C, and 14% of manganese among other vitamins and minerals.
They are rich in phytochemicals like anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that give blueberries their characteristic blue/purple color. Blueberries also contain quercetin, a flavonoid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects, as well as resveratrol, another antioxidant that supports heart health.
Other health benefits associated with blueberries are lower blood pressure and improved digestion. Overall, they’re a fantastic addition to our daily nutrition. And when incorporated into sourdough bread they add a nutritious boost to the loaf. This blueberry sourdough bread is not only delicious but also an excellent way to deliver essential nutrients to our meals.
Incorporating fruit into bread
Adding fruit to bread can be tricky. The moisture, acidity, and dietary fiber in fruit can affect the dough’s consistency and fermentation process. It’s important to choose the right type of fruit and adapt the recipe accordingly.
Dried, rehydrated, frozen, and fresh fruit behave differently in the dough. The differences in momisture can modify the water content of your recipe and disrupt the balance of ingredients. This recipe is designed for fresh or frozen blueberries. Now, let’s dive into how to incorporate blueberries into sourdough.
Incorporating blueberries into bread
For a burst of color, you can blend a few blueberries, mix the puree with the recipe’s water, and prepare a colorful dough. If you make kombucha or other fermented drinks you can use the strained pulp in bread as well. If you’re looking for a burst of flavor and a mouthful of juicy blueberries… Then adding whole berries is the way to go. The experience of biting into bread and having a blueberry burst in your mouth is next-level delicious!
Can I use frozen blueberries in my sourdough?
Absolutely! Frozen blueberries are a convenient option when fresh berries are out of season, or they’re not easily available. If you use frozen berries, make sure to thaw them first or your dough will be too cold and ferment much slower.
As the blueberries thaw they will release some juice, which you can either drain or incorporate into the dough as part of the total water. This will give the dough a slight pink color (the acidity of sourdough turns their purple hue into pink, how cool is that?).
If you live in a warm climate where sourdough tends to ferment quickly, you can probably benefit from not thawing the blueberries.
When to add the blueberries
When making this blueberry sourdough bread we have two options: fresh or frozen blueberries. The best time to incorporate fresh blueberries is before the dough is fully developed.
Whole, fresh blueberries are relatively hard and they can stand the kneading process without releasing too much juice and changing the dough’s hydration (unless you smash them), so it’s safe to add them early in the process.
Frozen blueberries, however, are a bit different. When blueberries are frozen and then thawed, the expansion and compression may create micro-channels in the skin. These tiny holes are the reason the juice leaks out of the berries. If you’ve ever thawed blueberries you might have noticed this.
The extra juice can impact the dough’s overall hydration, and since they’re much softer than fresh blueberries, they can break as the dough is kneaded. The best time to add frozen blueberries to the dough is toward the end of the kneading process, preferably during a lamination step or between coil folds.
If you want to use the juice, you can thaw the blueberries in advance and incorporate the juice as part of the water content. If you don’t want the juice, you can strain the berries.
A good tip to remember when laminating the dough for this blueberry sourdough bread is to reserve some berries and add them as you fold the dough back. It’s the best way to have the blueberries spread evenly throughout your dough and avoid having them all on one side of the loaf.
How to make blueberry sourdough bread
Now that we’ve discussed how to add the blueberries, let’s talk about the proofing and baking of this blueberry sourdough bread because the fruit can have an impact on the process.
Something that can happen when adding fresh fruits to bread dough is that juice starts to leak. This can make the dough look a bit softer than it should. A strong gluten network can help with this. It’s essential to develop a strong enough dough to avoid future problems if there are significant changes in the hydration of the dough. In other words, to avoid baking a flat loaf.
Fresh (or raw) fruit is also heavy, so a strong gluten network is really necessary. I prefer to knead the dough until it’s almost fully developed, and then add some coil folds. Whatever your preference is, follow the method that works for you.
Fermentation & proofing
When the dough has heavy inclusions, it might feel like it didn’t rise as much during proofing. Here it’s important to pay attention and not let it overfement. Look for air pockets in the bottom of the bowl (if you have a transparent bowl you can see the dough), and larger air bubbles when you preshape the dough. The dough should not feel too sticky or leave a lot of residue on the bowl.
Inclusions can also make shaping challenging, and you might feel some resistance from the dough when you try to shape it. The best thing you can do is to let it rest. A preshape step is always beneficial, but only if you have enough time to let it rest before the final shape. At least 30 minutes to 1 hour. Of course, you will need to time your fermentation accordingly. One more hour at room temperature can be a lot in a warm kitchen.
Baking your blueberry sourdough bread
Sourdough bread is supposed to have a lovely crispy crust paired with a pillowy crumb. This blueberry sourdough bread is no exception. However, to avoid burning the blueberries that might be on the surface, I recommend baking with steam for at least 20 minutes. This will prevent the crust from drying out too fast and turning too thick. And the last 20-30 minutes of baking will give your loaf the crispiness we all so enjoy.
Due to the additional moisture that the blueberries carry, the loaf might take slightly longer to bake. If you’re not sure when the dough is ready, the best thing you can do is test the internal temperature with a thermometer. Once it reads 96C your loaf is ready! Test a couple of different spots to make sure you got the correct temperature. You could stick the thermometer in a blueberry and get the wrong reading.
Storing Blueberry Sourdough Bread
To keep your blueberry sourdough bread fresh, store it in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag at room temperature. For longer storage, you can freeze slices of the bread wrapped in plastic wrap to avoid freeze burn and place them in a freezer bag. Then you can toast the slices directly in your toaster (it will take a bit longer to toast), or your air fryer!
Sourdough bread lasts longer than yeasted bread but not if it has fruit. The extra moisture and sugar are the perfect combination for microorganisms to grow. If you keep this bread in a warm kitchen, you might have to finish the bread within a couple of days to avoid mold. I know, the sacrifices we make! 😉
How to add more flavor to your blueberry sourdough bread
If you are looking for a very flavorful loaf, you can always add more aromatics and inclusions of your choice. My recipes are guides and ideas for you to customize to your taste. And as a scientist, I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t encourage you to experiment.
Blueberries are incredibly versatile and pair well with a wide variety of flavors. I like to pair them with seasonal ingredients. Maybe lemon zest during warmer months, maybe some cinnamon and ginger during colder months. Or just plain, blueberries are very tasty on their own.
And that’s it, now you can make this fabulous blueberry sourdough bread all year round! And for a delicious suggestion, try a toast with goat cheese and honey; you’ll never want anything else!
Happy baking!
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Blueberry Sourdough Bread
The perfect combination of sourdough and juicy blueberries for a mouthwatering treat!
Ingredients
- 25 g whole wheat flour
- 375 g bread flour
- 300 g water *See notes
- 8 g salt
- 80 g active sourdough starter
- 100 g fresh or frozen blueberries
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl add the water, active sourdough starter, and salt and dissolve.
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Add the flours and mix until just incorporated. Cover and let it sit for 30 minutes for an autolysis step.
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Knead the dough for a few minutes incorporating short resting periods (5 mins). If you are using fresh blueberries add them when the dough starts getting some consistency.
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If you’re using thawed frozen blueberries, add them now with a lamination step.
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Perform 3-4 sets of stretch-and-folds every 30-40 minutes. To do a stretch and fold, wet your hands, lift one side of the dough, stretch it up, and fold it over itself. Rotate the bowl and repeat on all four sides.
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Cover and let the dough ferment at room temperature for 6 hours at 72°F/22°C or until it looks bubbly and airy but not wobbly.
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Gently turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Preshape it into a boule.
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Cover with a floured cloth or bowl, and let it rest fo 30 minutes to 1h.
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Finish shaping the dough into your preferred shape and place it in a floured banneton seam side up.
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Cover and refrigerate for 12 or overnight.
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Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven or baking stone inside.
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Carefully turn the dough out onto a piece of parchment paper. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp blade. Transfer the dough into the preheated Dutch oven, cover with the lid, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for another 20-30 minutes, until the crust is deeply golden or inner temperature reaches 205°F or 96°C
Recipe Notes
* If you are unsure of the strength of your flour, reduce the water content by 30g and add more if necessary as you start mixing your dough.