Before you begin: This recipe is written for a 13x4 loaf pan. If you are using a different size, use the calculator above this recipe card for a revised ingredient list. Additionally, a ton of ingredient substitutions have been tested. Please see the substitutions section in the original Wonder Bread post for tips!
The Night Before
Make the stiff sweet starter: In a small jar, mix 30 g sourdough starter, 30 g sugar, 60 g water, and 120 g bread flour until it forms a ball. Knead outside of the jar to fully incorporate the ingredients. Cover loosely and let ferment at room temperature until morning.
Bake Day
Make the tangzhong: Mix 35 g bread flour and 175 g whole milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thickened and reaches 150°F (65°C), or about 4-5 rounds total. Let rest on the counter for about 30 minutes, or until the mixture has cooled below 100°F (38°C). Note: you could make this the night before and refrigerate overnight.
Mix the dough: In a large glass mixing bowl, combine All of the stiff sweet starter, All of the tangzhong, 195 g cool water, 40 g sugar, 45 g avocado oil, 515 g high-protein bread flour, and 12 g salt. Mix with a Danish dough whisk (if you have one); then, switch to your hands. Squeeze and knead the dough to incorporate all ingredients. Switch to slap and folds for a couple of minutes to bring the dough together more quickly. Put the dough back in the bowl and cover for 30 minutes.
Strengthen the dough: Do 3-4 rounds of stretch and folds, each spaced 30 minutes apart, until the dough is smooth and has a strong windowpane (you can stretch it thin enough to see light through without tearing).
Bulk fermentation: Let dough rise in a warm place (~85°F/29°C) until risen by about 30% and small bubbles appear around the sides of the bowl (about 3-5 hours total – bulk fermentation began when we first mixed our dough!).
Shape the dough: Spritz your loaf pan with a nonstick oil spray. Dump dough onto work surface (use a light dusting of flour to prevent sticking, if needed). Using a rolling pin, roll dough into rectangle slightly narrower than pan width (about 10" wide by 14" long). Try to pop large bubbles as you roll. Roll up the dough tightly, turning the ends in slightly as you roll to minimize an end seam. Place your dough log seam-side down in loaf pan. Use a toothpick to pop any bubbles on the surface of the dough.
Second rise: Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in your warm spot (~85°F/29°C) until very puffy and the dough is even with the height of the pan rim (approximately 3-5 hours).
Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered 40-45 minutes until internal temperature reaches 200-205°F (93-96°C). (See Notes for different loaf pan size baking times.) If the top of the loaf is getting too dark, cover with foil.
Finish: Once done, immediately brush hot loaf with 1 tbsp butter. Cool in pan 5-10 minutes, then turn out onto rack. Cool completely before slicing (1-2 hours).
Video
Notes
Flour Options:
Bread flour: Ballerina Farms (14% protein), Central Milling High Mountain (13.5% protein) or King Arthur unbleached (12.7% protein) - no adjustments needed
All-purpose: Costco AP flour - add ~25g extra flour to main dough
Canadian options: Arva Mills Daisy flour or Boreal Organic All Purpose (Costco) work perfectly (thanks to follower Amanda Steele for this tip)
Tangzhong: Make the tangzhong on the stovetop if you prefer. Whisk in a small saucepan over medium heat until the mixture reaches about 150°F(65°C) and is thick like pudding.Bake times for different-sized loaves:
Mini loaf pan: 25-30 minutes
Regular loaf pan (around 8.5×4.5): 30-35 minutes
Sandwich bread loaf pan (around 13×4): 40-45 minutes
The ingredient amounts from the loaf pan calculator above the recipe card are proportioned to fill your specific pan size perfectly. Regardless of pan dimensions, the dough should rise to meet the rim before baking.Original same-day sourdough Wonder Bread copycat recipe link
Nutrition Facts
Same-Day Sourdough Wonder Bread Copycat Recipe by Hand
Serving Size
1 slice
Amount per Serving
Calories
166
% Daily Value*
Fat
4
g
6
%
Saturated Fat
0.85
g
5
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
1.85
g
Cholesterol
2.6
mg
1
%
Sodium
240
mg
10
%
Potassium
48.4
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
28
g
9
%
Fiber
0.85
g
4
%
Sugar
3.75
g
4
%
Protein
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
32.6
IU
1
%
Calcium
18
mg
2
%
Iron
0.3
mg
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.