How To Add Inclusions to Sourdough Bread

Feb 9, 2024

Sourdough Bread has become a beloved staple in our home and forever will be. And while I love the distinctive tangy flavor of regular sourdough bread, it's always fun to switch things up a bit by adding some inclusions.

What are inclusions?

Inclusions are ingredients that can be incorporated into the bread dough to add extra flavor and texture. They can range from simple additions like herbs and spices to more complex things like nuts and seeds, dried fruits, or even cheese.

Some of my personal favorite inclusions:

Nuts and seeds

Cheese

Cinnamon and raisin

Chocolate

Pumpkin (wet inclusion)

Honey (wet inclusion)

How to add inclusions to your sourdough bread:

To add DRY inclusions to your sourdough bread, follow these simple steps:

After your dough has finished its bulk fermentation, prepare your sourdough dough as usual, following my Basic Sourdough Bread Recipe.
Flatten the dough gently with your hands on a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle your inclusions evenly over the dough. Fold the edges in toward the center. Allow the dough to bench rest for 30 minutes.
CAREFULLY shape the dough into your preferred loaf shape - the added ingredients can make the dough very fragile and prone to breaking apart so handle it very gently. Place it in a proofing basket and cold ferment, or bake right away - I always cold proof my bread in the fridge over night.
The following morning, bake your bread as you would normally. You may need to adjust the baking time based on the inclusions added.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and get creative with your sourdough bread! With the addition of inclusions, you’ll be able to transform your traditional loaves into something truly extraordinary. Happy baking!