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Valentine’s Day Sourdough Sandwich Bread  Loaf (Naturally Pink & Purple)

This Valentine’s Day sourdough sandwich bread is soft, fluffy, and naturally pink-purple thanks to a small amount of ube (purple sweet potato) powder. It’s made using the same base recipe and method as my classic soft sourdough sandwich bread, with one simple adjustment for color.

And because this is a sandwich loaf, there's no need for parchment paper or a fancy dutch oven! All you need is a loaf pan!

This is such a fun bread to make for Valentine’s Day, and one of my favorite things about it is that there are no artificial dyes or artificial colors involved at all.

The color comes entirely from ube powder, which is a purple sweet potato powder, making this loaf completely naturally colored.

I wanted to do something fun and festive for Valentine’s Day, so I decided to test using ube powder in my regular sourdough sandwich bread—and it worked beautifully.

The color isn’t exactly pink; it leans more toward a purple or deep magenta hue because of the purple sweet potato. Whether it looks more pink or purple, it still feels perfect for Valentine’s Day.

The best part is that the flavor is exactly the same as my regular sourdough sandwich bread.

The ube powder doesn’t change the taste at all—it simply adds a beautiful color.

Your family is going to love this loaf, and kids especially get such a kick out of colorful bread that’s still soft, fluffy, and familiar.

Why You’ll Love This Valentine’s Sourdough Sandwich Bread Loaf

This naturally colored sourdough sandwich bread is:

• Made without artificial food coloring
• Soft, fluffy, and perfect for sandwiches
• Kid-friendly and fun for Valentine’s Day
• Made with a trusted sourdough bread process
• Beautiful without sacrificing flavor

What Makes This Valentine’s Sourdough Bread Different

This loaf uses the same recipe and process as my Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread with one small adjustment.

I decreased the flour by 10 grams and replaced it with 10 grams of ube (purple sweet potato) powder. Everything else stays exactly the same (except this only makes one loaf instead of two).

This is the brand of sweet potato powder I used - it's available on Amazon in multiple sizes!

This small change gives the bread its natural Valentine’s color without affecting the rise, texture, or flavor.

Ingredients for Valentine’s Sourdough Sandwich Bread

Use the same ingredient list as my Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread recipe, with this modification.

Remove 10 grams of flour
Add 10 grams of ube (purple sweet potato) powder

All remaining ingredients and measurements stay unchanged.

How to Make Valentine’s Sourdough Sandwich Bread

Mixing the Dough

In a medium mixing bowl, add the water and active sourdough starter. Mix until well combined.

Add the salt and honey and mix well until fully dissolved.

Next, add the flour and ube powder and mix until a shaggy dough forms and no dry flour remains.

Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes.

Stretch and Folds

After 30 minutes, perform the first set of stretch and folds. Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rest for 45 minutes.

Perform a second set of stretch and folds, then cover and rest for another 45 minutes.

Repeat this process two more times for a total of four sets of stretch and folds.

After the final set, cover the dough and allow it to bulk ferment on the counter for 6 to 8 hours, or until bulk fermentation is finished and the dough has doubled at least in size.

Cold Fermentation

Once bulk fermentation is complete, place the dough in the refrigerator.

You can shape the dough before refrigerating or simply place it in the refrigerator and shape it the next morning. Both options work well.

Refrigerate the dough for 12 hours or overnight.

Shaping and Final Rise

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it into a buttered bread pan.

Allow the dough to rise again until it reaches just the top of the bread pan.

Baking Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Score the top of the loaf and bake for 30 minutes.

Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and immediately take it out of the pan. While the loaf is still hot, butter the top generously.

Cooling the Bread

For best results, allow the bread to cool completely before slicing. This helps the crumb set and gives you clean, even slices.

Ways to Use Valentine’s Sourdough Sandwich Bread

This fun Valentine’s sourdough sandwich bread is versatile and easy to use.

Valentine’s Day Breakfast Ideas

• Heart-shaped toast for a festive breakfast
• Toast with butter, honey, or jam
• French toast topped with berries and whipped cream

Kid-Friendly Valentine’s Lunch Ideas

• PB&J sandwiches with a pink-purple twist
• Grilled cheese sandwiches kids love
• Lunchbox sandwiches that feel extra special

Valentine’s Brunch and Party Ideas

• Tea sandwiches for a Valentine’s brunch
• Cubed bread for snack boards or charcuterie boards
• Open-faced sandwiches with nut butter and fruit

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ube sourdough bread taste sweet?

No. The amount of ube powder used adds color without changing the flavor. This bread tastes just like regular sourdough sandwich bread.

Can I make this bread without ube powder?

Yes. Simply add the 10 grams of flour back in and follow the original recipe. But then, of course, you won't have Valentine's Day bread! 

Is this bread safe for kids?

Yes. This bread uses natural ingredients and no artificial dyes, making it a fun and family-friendly option.

Final Thoughts on Valentine’s Sourdough Sandwich Bread

This Valentine’s sourdough sandwich bread is proof that you don’t need a brand-new recipe to make something special. A small adjustment and a naturally beautiful color turn a classic loaf into something festive, fun, and perfect for Valentine’s Day.

I hope you enjoy this fun Valentine bake as much as we do!