All About Sourdough Baking

There’s a reason that sourdough has become so popular. It’s more than bread–it’s a hobby that’s satisfying, exciting, and just hard enough to challenge you.

But there’s no need for measuring everything in grams, calculating hydration percentages, or making this harder than it has to be. We’re just following a recipe, not turning into scientists. And every recipe I write is made with real home bakers in mind: simple, easy to follow, and no weird words. You can learn them if you want to. But you don’t have to.

Whether you’re just curious about sourdough or ready for a bunch of new recipes to use your 25-year old starter, I’m here for you.

Sourdough Basics

So many people get overwhelmed and confused and feel like they need to go to sourdough college before they get started. If this is you, I highly recommend skipping all the reading and just getting a sourdough starter on King Arthur Flour and starting with a beginner recipe. Nothing teaches like actually doing. But, if you insist on reading first, you can start here.

• How to Make a Sourdough Starter
• How to Maintain a Sourdough Starter
• Sourdough FAQs

Beginner-Friendly Sourdough Bread Recipes

There is no shame in starting with a basic recipe and liking it so much you bake the rest of your life. These are all forgiving, simple, and will replace your most frequently bought breads and buns. Keep in mind that once you start with these you’ll also want to master a few discard recipes too, but I’ve kept them separate.

• Crusty Sourdough Rolls
• Dutch Oven Sourdough French Bread
• Crusty Sourdough Italian Rolls
• Basic Sourdough Sandwich Bread
• No Knead Sourdough
• Stand Mixer Sourdough Bread
• Classic Artisan Sourdough Bread
• Farmhouse Sourdough Sandwich Bread
• Bread Machine Sourdough Bread
• Sourdough Burger Buns
• Cinnamon Swirl Sourdough Loaf
• Cheddar Jalapeño Sourdough Bread
• Blueberry Lemon Sourdough Bread

More Advanced Sourdough Bread Recipes

These aren’t hard, but they’re more hands-on, a bit more finicky, and I make them less often. I still love them!

• Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Boule
• Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread
• White Chocolate Raspberry Sourdough Bread
• Apple Cider Sourdough Bread
• Buttermilk Sourdough Bread
• Sourdough Egg Bread
• Sourdough Cinnamon Sugar Boule
• Soft Sourdough Dinner Rolls
• Sourdough Rye Bread
• Chocolate Sourdough Bread
• Sourdough Wheat Sandwich Bread
• Sourdough Spelt Bread

Other Fun Things to Make with Sourdough Starter

While these aren’t as super-practical as a nice white sandwich loaf, they’re actually some of my very favorite things to make.

• Sourdough Berry Sweet Rolls
• Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
• Sourdough Pretzels
• Sourdough Naan
• Sourdough Focaccia
• Sourdough Pizza Dough
• Doughnuts
• Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
• Classic Bagels
• Blueberry Bagels

Sourdough Discard Recipes

I love discard recipes. There’s just something about them that works. If you like buttermilk in baked goods, you’ll love these, it has sort of the same effect. Don’t worry, they aren’t sour and most people won’t even guess there’s starter in them . They’re just like a super good version of all your favorites.

• Sourdough Lemon Loaf
• Sourdough Discard Muffins
• Blueberry Muffins
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Banana Bread
• Pumpkin Bread

Baking Tools You Need

You probably already have the necessary tools—a bowl, spoon, measuring cup or scales, and some bakeware. But some special tools will make your baking life easier.

 Bob’s Red Mill Organic White Rice Flour, 24 Oz Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Round Dutch Oven, 7.3-Quart, White Tovolo Danish Sturdy Wire Batter & Dough Blender for Cooking & Baking, Bread Baking Accessory, Easy to Clean, Stainless Steel, 12 SIMOX Premium Bread Lame, Bread Scorer Blade with Crafted Wooden Handle & 5 Blades, Bread Scoring Tool/Bread Lame with Protective Cover 9 inch Round Bread Banneton Proofing Basket & Liner SUGUS HOUSE Brotform Dough Rising Rattan Handmade rattan bowl – Perfect For Artisan SMARTAKE 200 Pcs Parchment Paper Baking Sheets, 12×16 Inches Non-Stick Precut Baking Parchment, Perfect for Baking Grilling Air Fryer Steaming Bread Cup Cake Cookie and More (Unbleached)

 

• Parchment paper keeps your loaf from sticking to the Dutch oven: remember the dough is wetter than you might be used to and can stick badly.
• A lame help slashes through the wet dough to get those pretty designs.
• A Dutch Oven with a tight-fitting lid traps moisture inside to help the loaf rise high.
• And rice flour is essential for dusting the top of your proofing basket.

You’ve reached the end of this collection. But I hope it’s just the beginning for you.