The Simple Sourdough — Page 2

Hands stretch and fold sourdough pizza dough in a glass bowl on a floured counter.

Sourdough Pizza Dough for Beginners: A Forgiving Way to Practice Shaping

Can I use my sourdough starter to make pizza dough, and is it easier than a loaf?

Jul 20, 2026 · 9 min read

Overhead view of a digital scale, Dutch oven, bench knife, razor blade on a chopstick, and glass bowl on a wooden table, with flour dust, in soft natural light.

The Only 5 Tools You Really Need for Your First Sourdough Loaf

Start baking sourdough without the clutter and expense. These are the only 5 tools you really need—and the ones you can skip.

Jul 20, 2026 · 3 min read

Two clear glass jars of sourdough starter placed side by side on a wooden surface. The left jar contains a thin, liquid-like starter, while the right jar holds a thick, stiff starter with a firm doughy texture.

How-toSourdough Starter Basics

Sourdough Starter Fasting: What to Do When You Go on Vacation

How do I prepare my sourdough starter for a multi-week absence and revive it smoothly?

Jul 20, 2026 · 9 min read

Close-up of sourdough dough being stretched between two hands, showing fine, elastic gluten strands.

Deep DiveSourdough Fundamentals

The Beginner’s Guide to Sourdough Gluten Development: Why Stretch and Folds Work

How does gluten development work in sourdough, and why are stretch and folds so effective for beginners?

Jul 20, 2026 · 9 min read

A row of small glass bowls containing sourdough dough at various stages of fermentation, with an analog thermometer on a wooden surface.

ComparisonSourdough Troubleshooting

Sourdough in Summer vs. Winter: How to Adjust for Temperature Extremes

How do you adapt your sourdough baking process for very hot or cold weather?

Jul 20, 2026 · 9 min read

A person's hands stretching a ball of sourdough dough upward in a bowl, with flour on a wooden surface.

How-toBeginner Sourdough Recipes

The Hardest Loaf to Mess Up: A 60% Hydration Sourdough for Absolute Beginners

What is the easiest sourdough bread recipe that minimizes handling and hydration issues?

Jul 20, 2026 · 8 min read

Two round sourdough loaves side by side, one with a thick crisp Dutch oven crust and one with a thinner soft open-bake crust

ComparisonTools & Ingredients

Dutch Oven vs. Open Bake: Which Sourdough Method Is Best for Beginners?

Dutch oven or open baking with steam for sourdough? Compare ease, cost, and crust so beginners can pick the right method and bake a great loaf.

Jul 14, 2026 · 4 min read

A mild pale-crust sourdough loaf and a darker tangier sourdough loaf sliced open side by side on a wooden board

TroubleshootingSourdough Troubleshooting

Beginner's Guide to Controlling Sourdough Tang: How to Make It Milder or More Sour

Learn how to control the sourness of your sourdough bread with simple beginner adjustments to fermentation time, temperature, and starter feeding.

Jul 14, 2026 · 12 min read

Golden freshly baked sourdough loaf on a wooden board beside a kitchen timer in bright natural light

Deep DiveSourdough Fundamentals

How Long Does It Really Take to Bake Your First Sourdough?

Wondering how long sourdough really takes? See the realistic active vs. passive time for your first loaf, hour by hour, so you can plan with confidence.

Jun 29, 2026 · 8 min read

Sliced sourdough loaf stored cut-side down on a wooden board on a kitchen counter

How-toBeginner Sourdough Recipes

How to Store Sourdough Bread So It Stays Fresh

Learn how to store sourdough bread so it stays fresh for days, how to freeze loaves and slices, and how to revive a stale crust. Simple beginner steps.

Jun 29, 2026 · 9 min read

Cross-sections of white, whole wheat, and rye sourdough loaves side by side showing crumb differences

Beginner GuideTools & Ingredients

Can You Use Whole Wheat or Rye in Beginner Sourdough?

New to sourdough? Learn how whole wheat and rye change your dough, why they cause dense loaves, and the simple way to add them without ruining your bake.

Jun 29, 2026 · 11 min read

A pale flat sourdough loaf beside a glossy golden well-steamed sourdough loaf on a wooden counter

How-toTools & Ingredients

How to Get Steam in Your Oven for a Better Crust

Learn how to add steam when baking sourdough, with and without a Dutch oven. Simple beginner methods for a crackly, glossy, bakery-style crust.

Jun 29, 2026 · 9 min read