Can I freeze sourdough before baking it?

Yes, you can!

We recommend following the steps below:

1. Let the bread go through its first rise, as most yeast bread goes through two rises. Allow the bread to rise in a greased bowl as per recipe instructions.
2. After the first rise, punch down the dough and knead. Then, shape the bread dough into loaves or one single loaf.
3. Place the loaf (or loaves) in a bread pan lined with greased plastic wrap to prevent sticking. This also allows the dough loaves to hold their shape when frozen.
4. Place the bread pans in the freezer and let the dough freeze for about 10 hours.
5. Remove the frozen bread dough from the pans. Wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in a resealable plastic freezer bag.
6. Date the bag(s) of dough and place in the freezer immediately. Your dough can be frozen for up to four weeks.

When you are ready to bake:

1.  Simply remove the dough from the freezer the night before you intend to use it. You should keep the loaf wrapped in the plastic and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
2. Place the thawed dough in a greased bread pan after a quick fold/knead, cover, and let it rise on the counter.
3. Bake the bread at the temperature and length of time described in the recipe.