Simpler Living Blog

Pumpkin-Shaped Sourdough

Pumpkin-Shaped Sourdough Loaves

I’ll admit — the first time I saw these adorable pumpkin loaves, I thought they looked complicated. But they’re surprisingly easy, and they make any meal feel festive. The trick is kitchen twine and a little patience.

I use my go-to sourdough recipe, but you can use any that you love. If you are looking for a more basic sourdough recipe, you can find it here:. This recipe will make 2 medium sized loaves or one large loaf. I prefer to split mine into two.

The result? A beautifully golden, lightly tangy loaf that looks just like a pumpkin — and pairs perfectly with that warm bowl of soup.

Bringing It All Together

After the soup simmered for a little bit, I served it with the warm sourdough and it made the perfect dipper for this comforting soup.

It wasn’t a fancy meal — just simple, homemade food — but that’s what made it perfect. The kind of meal that reminds you to slow down, savor the season, and be grateful for the cozy moments that fall brings.

So if you find yourself craving a taste of autumn, grab a pumpkin, warm up your oven, and make something beautiful from scratch. You’ll not only fill your belly but your home with the spirit of the season — one loaf and one pot at a time.

This recipe originally appeared in Roasted Pumpkin Soup and Pumpkin-Shaped Sourdough Loaves Recipe.

Pumpkin-Shaped Sourdough

Kayla Myers

Ingredients

300 grams active starter
700 grams warm water
20 grams salt
1000 grams unbleached AP flour
A bit of flour for dusting
1–2 tablespoons neutral oil or flour (for coating the twine)
6–8 pieces of kitchen twine, each about 20 inches long
1 half or small cinnamon stick for the “stem”

Instructions

Add your starter and the warm water into a large bowl and mix until most of the clumps are dissolved.
Add your salt and stir in in till dissolved
Add in your flour and stir until a shaggy dough is formed.
Let rest for 1 hour.
After 1 hour, preform your first set of stretch and folds. Pull a small section of the dough up gently and then fold it towards the center. Repeat the stretches 4 times.
Let rest for 30 minutes and repeat 3 more times, letting the dough rest 30 minutes between sets.
After your 4 sets of stretch and folds, let your dough bulk ferment on your counter for 6-10 hours. You want your dough to be doubled in size.
Shape the dough: Once your sourdough has finished its bulk rise, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a tight round boule. Place it seam-side down on a piece of parchment paper.
Tie the pumpkin shape: Lightly oil or flour the twine so it won’t stick. Lay the strings across the dough in a crisscross pattern, like slicing a pie into 6–8 even sections. Tie each string loosely at the top so the dough has room to expand as it proofs. Add score marks in desired pattern
Final proof: Cover the dough with a towel and let it rise for about an hour, or until puffy. While it proofs, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) with a Dutch oven inside.
Bake: When ready to bake, carefully lift the dough (with parchment) and place it into the hot Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake another 15 minutes until golden and crisp.
Cool and decorate: Let the loaf cool completely before gently snipping away the twine. Insert a pecan half or cinnamon stick in the top center to create the pumpkin “stem.”