sourdough tips Posts

Making your own sourdough bread from scratch is one of the most exciting and satisfying forms of baking there is. It can also be one of the most confusing. From getting your starter going to mixing up dough, or shaping boules to scoring bread, we've got all sorts of tips and advice for your sourdough journey. 

Collage of Tara and selected bread tools

Sourdough star Tara Jensen's essential bread tools

From old favorites to new crushes, here are her recommendations for your best bread yet.

Sep 26, 2022
Baker mixing bread dough next to open bag of bread flour

Does bread flour really make a difference in your bread? (The answer is yes.)

Here's why you should always reach for the flour a recipe calls for.

Sep 22, 2022
Braided bread dough in loaf pan, with visible indention from poke test

How do I know if my bread dough has risen enough?

Nail your proof with these simple steps.

Aug 22, 2022
One loaf of sliced sourdough and one whole loaf of sourdough

What a pro baker can teach us about making bread at home

Andy King shares his best advice from 20 years in the professional kitchen.

May 9, 2022
Sourdough starter

How to make your sourdough bread more (or less) sour: part 1

Your first step: building and maintaining a healthy starter.

Feb 22, 2022
sourdough bread being sliced

How to make your sourdough bread more (or less) sour: part 2

Want to ramp up the sour? Increase the acids.

Feb 22, 2022
sourdough bread sliced

How to make your sourdough bread more (or less) sour: part 3

Sour or mild — it’s up to you.

Feb 22, 2022
Merlin's Magic Sourdough Bread, sliced

The power of adding commercial yeast to your sourdough bread

A guaranteed rise in a set amount of time? Perfect.

Jan 13, 2022
Fresh sourdough starter and King Arthur sourdough crocks.

You finally got a sourdough starter. Now what?

Find out how to feed and grow it and, most important, when it's ready for baking.

Nov 8, 2021
Sourdough culture in a clear glass jar.

Ask the Bread Coach: Can sourdough starter be too active?

Sometimes the secret to a tall loaf is a starter that’s been slowed down.

Jul 29, 2021
Sourdough ear

Everything to know about sourdough ears

Scoring tips to create a dramatic crust

Feb 16, 2021
Sourdough bread

Easy everyday sourdough bread

All the flavor — none of the fuss

Feb 12, 2021
Bread machine

Sourdough and your bread machine

From sourdough bagels to crusty baguettes, your machine's not just for sandwich loaves

Jan 19, 2021
Cross section of open crumb sourdough

Producing an open crumb in sourdough bread

A guide to lighter, loftier loaves

Nov 5, 2020
Sliced seeded sourdough next to cup of grains

3 ways to switch up your bread baking

Simple tips to break your bread routine

Oct 28, 2020
Sourdough bread sliced and toasted.

Do-Nothing Sourdough Bread

Time replaces effort in this simple loaf

Sep 14, 2020
10 tips for new sourdough bakers

10 tips for new sourdough bakers

It's a confusing world out there, isn't it?

Jun 10, 2020
A no-knead sourdough boule

How to make no-knead sourdough bread

A delicious bread by doing less, not more

Apr 27, 2020
Naturally leavened sourdough bread made with yeast water in place of standard sourdough starter, sliced open and set on a wooden table.

Baking bread with a yeast water starter

Can fruit successfully stand in for flour?

Feb 24, 2020
Jars of preferments

Baking with preferments

Poolish? Biga? Levain? Unlock great flavor by understanding the four key varieties

Feb 5, 2020
Loaves of sourdough bread on a cutting board, one loaf sliced.

Rustic Sourdough Bread

Sourdough made simple

Oct 14, 2019
Bulk Fermentation via @kingarthurflour

Bulk fermentation, explained

Building strength, volume, and flavor

Jul 22, 2019
Preshaping Bread Dough via @kingarthurflour

Preshaping bread dough

How to set the stage for successful shaping

Feb 8, 2019
Float test for yeast dough sourdough starter via @kingarthurflour

The float test for yeast dough and sourdough starter

Does it really work?

Jan 2, 2019