Copycat Homemade Schlotzsky’s Sourdough Bread

Copycat Homemade Schlotzsky’s Sourdough Bread Recipe: An easy way to make the iconic bubbly yeast sandwich bread at home!

Make Schlotzsky’s Sourdough Bread At Home!

Copycat Homemade Schlotzsky’s Sourdough Bread is perfect for that extra special meal. This buttery, delicious, homemade bread will hold up to some serious sandwich fillings.

I know the name is a mouth full, but you will certainly want to get a big mouth full of this Copycat Homemade Schlotzsky’s Sourdough Bread. It is so simple to make and nothing like those store-bought loaves of sourdough bread that seem to always disappoint.

This “sourdough” is quick-made using a combination of yeast and vinegar for the sourdough tang, not with a traditional sourdough starter that has to ferment.

Some bakery sourdough loaves are wimpy and fall apart when you load them up with your favorite fillings.

Others are too dry and hard to choke down, or they crumble when you pick them up. Not this Bread. Copycat Homemade Schlotzsky’s Sourdough Bread is an ideal balance of tenderness and stability.

Who doesn’t need a little tenderness and stability in their lives… And in their recipe collection?

When I think of sourdough I recall that slimy gooey starter for “friendship” bread that was so popular in the 70’s.

My mom would keep it in the fridge and whenever she wanted to bake bread she would have to feed it, let it grow, and wait until it was ready before she could bake.

An Easy Sourdough Bread Recipe For Beginners

This bread has a starter too, but the wait time is much reduced. It is great for beginners. 

You need only a five-minute wait for the yeast to activate, then one proofing prior to baking. Best of all, the bake time is a brief twenty minutes. No more keeping starters in the refrigerator for your sourdough recipes. 

Copycat Homemade Schlotzsky’s Sourdough Bread has a very sticky dough that is more like a batter.

You may be tempted to think you made a mistake and want to add more flour, but don’t.

What Ingredients You Will Need

• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees)
• 1 packet quick-rise active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup warm milk (110 degrees)
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt – or for a deeper flavor you can use fine sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• Nonstick cooking spray

How To Make Sourdough Bread

Step-by-Step Instructions…

In a medium-sized bowl, gently whisk together the yeast, warm water, and sugar. Let it stand at room temperature for 5 minutes until bubbly, (you can cover with a towel like you would a lid). You can use a large bowl/large mixing bowl if you want to make a bigger batch. 

Whisk in the warm milk, vinegar, baking soda, salt, and 1 cup of flour until smooth. Then mix in the remaining flour.

Spray two 9-inch cake pans (or pie pans) with nonstick cooking spray and dust the bottoms with cornmeal (instead of lining them with a piece of parchment paper). Divide the dough between the pans and spread it out a little. The yeast will do the rest. (You can flour your counter to help divide the dough with a sharp knife or bench scraper). 

Spray plastic wrap with nonstick cooking spray and lightly cover each pan. Proof for 1 hour in a warm place in the house… Or in a proofing drawer.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Remove the plastic wrap and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush the tops of the bread lightly with melted butter and cool in pans completely.

Dust off the loose cornmeal from the crust. Slice the bread loaves in half horizontally, and start creating your sandwich masterpiece!

Get The Full (Printable) for Step-by-Step Guide for Easy Sourdough Bread Recipes + VIDEO Below.

How to Make a Schlotzsky’s Sandwich

Once in the pans, the proofing chemistry takes control and beautiful bubbles fill the dough. Though it doesn’t rise much higher than the pie pan, it is the ideal height for a hearty sandwich.

If the Schlotzsky’s bread was any thicker, your sandwich would be too thick and bready to fit in your mouth. Any thinner and it would be too difficult to slice.

Once the bread is baked, you are ready to build amazing copycat Schlotzsky’s sourdough bread sandwiches.

Slice the bread open. Layer on garlic dressing, cheeses, ham, salami, mustard, and sliced olives. Then toast in the oven until the cheese melts.

Add lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, and you have Schlotzsky’s Originals or any Schlotzsky’s sandwich at home!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make it the Schlotzsky’s Way?

To make copycat Schlotzsky’s original sandwiches, layer on creamy garlic dressing (or Caesar dressing), cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, ham, salami, mustard, and sliced black olives. Toast in the oven until the cheese melts, then add lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.

How far in advance can I make this bread? Does it freeze well?

Yes, it does freeze well. Wrap it tightly in plastic and you can freeze it for up to 6 months. If not freezing, use the bread within 3-4 days after baking.

What temperature should I set the oven for toasting with cheese?

To make Schlotzsky’s sandwiches, roast the bread in the oven at 375 degrees F until the cheese melts.

Why does this bread not need a sourdough starter?

Sourdough starter… Bakers use them so that they don’t have to add quick-rising yeast. The flour itself has wild yeast and bacteria that, in the right situations, will make your bread come alive. The best flour to use for this kind of starter is whole wheat flour which has higher protein and microorganisms to provide better food for the yeast. The recipe doesn’t need a lot of time because we are adding yeast. It’s great for beginner breadmakers! 

Can I Use Bread Flour?

For this sourdough, I would recommend that you use all-purpose flour over bread flour, so it’s very soft and light. However, if that is all you have on hand, then use it! The bread will not be as delicate, but it will still be delicious!

Is This Bread Gluten Free?

No, classic sourdough does have gluten. You can make it with a good 1-to-1 ratio gluten-free baking mix, however, the bread will not be quite as flexible.

Other Sandwich Recipes You Might Like:

• Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich
• Greek Chicken Salad Sandwiches
• Panini Sandwich with Creamy Pesto Sauce
• Almond Sandwich Cookies
• New Orleans Muffaletta Sandwich
• Dutch Oven No Knead Bread by Bowl of Delicious
• Sous Vide French Dip Sandwiches from Simply Recipes

Disclosure: We noticed in the comments that some people struggled to get their bread to rise. This recipe has been thoroughly re-tested and adjusted below. Happy Baking!

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