Step 1

Add the water and melted butter to the bread machine.

Step 2

On top of that add the bread flour, sugar and salt.

Step 3

Lastly, add the sourdough starter.

Step 4

Use the kneading function on the bread machine. (For my machine this is function Mine is set to knead for 25 minutes.

Step 5

Optional: After the first knead cycle finishes, I press the button again and let it knead the dough one more time, for an additional 25 minute cycle.

Step 6

Next, I just allow the dough to sit in the bread machine for about 6 hours, or until the dough nearly rises to the top of the bread pan. I like to spritz the top with water a few times to make sure the dough doesn't dry out on top. (Optional , but also helps the crust to turn golden in the baking step.)

Step 7

After the dough has risen for several hours, I go to the baking function (function 13 on my bread maker) and select the option for dark crust. This makes the bake time 1 hour.

Step 8

Pull the bread out of the bread maker and allow to cool.