How to Speed Up or Slow Down Sourdough Fermentation: The Temperature Tricks That Work

How to Speed Up or Slow Down Sourdough Fermentation: The Temperature Tricks That Work

It was 6 a.m. on a Sunday, and I was standing in my kitchen in mismatched socks, staring at a bowl of sourdough that had absolutely refused to rise overnight. My in-laws were arriving at noon for brunch. I had promised them fresh sourdough. I had, in fact, bragged about it. “Oh, I’ll make my … Read more

The Friday-Night-Mix, Saturday-Morning-Bake Schedule That Changed My Weekend Entirely

The Friday-Night-Mix, Saturday-Morning-Bake Schedule That Changed My Weekend Entirely

It was 6:47 on a Sunday morning and I was standing in my kitchen in my bathrobe, holding a lump of dough that could only be described as a deflated football, whispering “please, please, please” to it like that was going to help. My starter had gone rogue. My bulk ferment had overproofed overnight. My … Read more

Bake Sourdough Before Work: A 5am Starter Routine That Actually Works (I Promise)

Bake Sourdough Before Work: A 5am Starter Routine That Actually Works (I Promise)

It was 5:47am on a Tuesday, I was still in my pajamas, flour was somehow on my ceiling, and I had to leave for work in exactly 43 minutes. My sourdough loaf was sitting on the counter looking absolutely perfect and absolutely unbaked. I had completely miscalculated my timeline. Again. If you’ve ever tried to … Read more

Same-Day Sourdough in 8 Hours: A Step-by-Step Timeline for Impatient Bakers Like Me

Same-Day Sourdough in 8 Hours: A Step-by-Step Timeline for Impatient Bakers Like Me

It was 7:14 on a Saturday morning when I stood in my kitchen in mismatched socks, staring at a very sad, very flat loaf of sourdough and wondering how I had managed to ruin bread that was supposed to be done by dinner. My mother-in-law was arriving at 6 PM. I had promised her a … Read more

The Overnight Bulk Ferment: How to Finally Time Sourdough Around Your Actual Sleep Schedule

The Overnight Bulk Ferment: How to Finally Time Sourdough Around Your Actual Sleep Schedule

It was 11:47 PM on a Tuesday, and I was standing in my kitchen in mismatched socks, frantically googling “can you over-proof sourdough in the fridge” with flour-dusted hands, while my dough sat on the counter like a silent accusation. I had started my overnight bulk ferment sourdough journey approximately four hours earlier with enormous … Read more

Seeded Sourdough Batard: How I Made the Most Satisfying Loaf of My Baking Life

Seeded Sourdough Batard: How I Made the Most Satisfying Loaf of My Baking Life

This seed loaf is exactly what it sounds like — a hearty, rustic sourdough bread packed with an abundance of seeds in every single slice. Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax, and sesame come together to create a loaf that goes far beyond ordinary sourdough. The result is a nutty, deeply complex flavor with an incredible … Read more

Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Loaf: The Recipe My Neighbor Keeps Knocking on My Door For

Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Loaf: The Recipe My Neighbor Keeps Knocking on My Door For

It was 7 a.m. on a Saturday when my neighbor Linda rang my doorbell holding an empty bread bag and what I can only describe as desperate eyes. I had given her a loaf of my sourdough cinnamon raisin bread three days earlier as a “sorry my dog dug up your tulips” peace offering, and … Read more

50/50 Whole Wheat Sourdough: The Everyday Loaf I Actually Keep Coming Back To

50/50 Whole Wheat Sourdough: The Everyday Loaf I Actually Keep Coming Back To

I want to tell you about the time I confidently handed my neighbor a loaf of bread and watched her take one polite bite before quietly feeding the rest to her dog. The loaf in question was my fourth attempt at a 100% whole wheat sourdough, and it had the texture of a slightly damp … Read more

100% Whole Wheat Sourdough: How to Stop It From Being Basically a Brick

100% Whole Wheat Sourdough: How to Stop It From Being Basically a Brick

I still remember staring at what was supposed to be a beautiful, rustic loaf sitting on my cooling rack and thinking, “I could use this thing as a doorstop.” It was dense, gummy in the middle, and about two inches tall. I had spent three days nursing my starter, carefully measured every gram, followed a … Read more

Sourdough Sandwich Loaf: Soft, Sliceable, and Actually Better Than Store-Bought

Sourdough Sandwich Loaf: Soft, Sliceable, and Actually Better Than Store-Bought

I want to tell you about the morning I proudly sliced into what I was absolutely certain was my best loaf yet, only to watch the entire thing collapse sideways like a soggy accordion. My husband was standing right there. He tried so hard not to laugh. He failed. That disaster was actually what led … Read more