Light Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread

24 hours

medium

1 loaf

🌿 Light Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread

🍞 A Loaf for Every Day, Soft Enough to Steal Your Heart 💖

The first time I baked this light whole wheat sourdough bread, it surprised me with just how fluffy it turned out. Soft, light, and wholesome, it has the kind of tender crumb and golden crust that makes every slice feel like a warm hug.

That very first slice always makes me pause. Soft, golden, and so inviting. The olive oil adds just a touch of richness, keeping the crumb tender and leaving behind a flavor that lingers in the best way. This is the kind of bread that pulls you in. One slice with butter, one slice with jam, and before you know it, half the loaf is gone. 🥖💛

Even Mr Squeeze, my husband, has claimed this one as his afternoon favorite. He toasts a couple of slices, piles on his sandwich fixings, and tells me it is the best bread he has ever eaten. And honestly, he is right.

By blending white and whole wheat flour, you get the perfect balance. This light whole wheat sourdough bread recipehas just enough heartiness to feel wholesome, yet the rise and crumb are right on point. The texture is soft, open, and easy to enjoy every day. I love it toasted in the morning or warm from the oven with butter in the evening. It is the kind of loaf I come back to again and again because it feels like home every single time.

Slice of light whole wheat sourdough bread with jam on a blue plate, rustic crumb and cozy homemade feel.
🍓 Toasted or fresh, sourdough with jam always feels like home on a plate 🥖💙

💚 Why You’ll Love This Light Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread

🍞 Everyday Friendly – soft, sliceable, and perfect for sandwiches, toast, or dipping into soups.

🌾 Light but Wholesome – the goodness of whole wheat without the heavy, dense texture.

Balanced Flavor – nutty, warm notes of wheat blended with the airy lift of white flour.

🙌 Simple Steps – no fancy tools, just stretch, fold, rise, and bake.

🥖 Golden Crust, Tender Crumb – that classic sourdough crackle outside with pillowy softness inside.

💛 Nourishing & Homemade – healthy ingredients you can feel good about baking and sharing.

Slice of light whole wheat sourdough bread with butter melting into the crumb, served on a blue plate as the hero shot.
🌿🧈 Simple golden and perfect. Nothing beats sourdough with butter melting right into the crumb 🤎

Looking for more comforting, flavor-packed meals? Check out our [other recipes here]!

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Ingredients

Adjust Servings
50 g of active starter
350 g filtered water
350 g white flour (all-purpose or bread)
150 g whole wheat flour
14 g olive oil (1 tbsp)
12 g sugar (1 tbsp, can sub honey)
8 g salt (1 ½ tsp)
Flour to Feed Starter
50g Barton Springs Mill Butler's Gold Flour (certified organic) Whole Wheat
50 g King Arthur bread flour
100 g filtered water
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Nutritional Information

180 Calories
35g Carbs
6g Protein
0.5g Fat
2g Fiber

Directions

1.

Mix Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together water, sourdough starter, and olive oil. Add whole wheat flour, white flour, sugar, and salt. Stir until a rough shaggy dough forms. Cover with a damp towel and rest 40–60 minutes.
Mark as complete
2.

Stretch and Fold

Perform your first set of stretch and folds: pull up one side of the dough, fold it over, and repeat all around until smooth and elastic. Cover and rest 30 minutes. Repeat 2–3 more sets of stretch and folds.
Mark as complete
3.

Bulk Fermentation

Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 8–10 hours, or until doubled in size.
Mark as complete
4.

Cold Proof

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour (optional: transfer to the freezer for 30 minutes before baking to make scoring easier).
Mark as complete
5.

Shape

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Fold in the four corners, or use your preferred shaping method, then gently coax it into a round or oval. Place seam side up in a well floured banneton or bowl.
Mark as complete
6.

Score & Bake

Place your Dutch oven (with lid on) inside the oven and preheat to 450°F (232°C). Once fully preheated, carefully remove the Dutch oven and set it on a heat safe surface. Line with parchment and gently lower in the dough. Score the loaf with a sharp blade, cover with the lid, and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and crackly.
Mark as complete
7.

Cool

Let the loaf cool at least 1 hour before slicing.
Mark as complete
8.

Enjoy the Moment!

🎉 Congratulations You just pulled something truly beautiful from your oven. Let it cool, breathe in that golden aroma, and be fully present for the very first slice. Butter ready, heart full 🥖💛 However you choose to enjoy it, savor every bite and celebrate the quiet everyday magic of homemade sourdough 🍞✨
Mark as complete

Notes

Bread has a way of gathering people. This light whole wheat sourdough bread is more than just a recipe, it is a loaf that asks you to slow down and enjoy the moment. Whether it is a quiet breakfast, an afternoon sandwich, or a slice with butter at the end of the day, it always feels like comfort. Bake it, break it, and let it bring a little joy to your table. 🥖💛