Recipes & Guides
Step-by-step sourdough recipes, starter guides, and the baking science behind every loaf.
Open Crumb vs Tight Crumb Explained
Open crumb gets all the Instagram love, but tight crumb has its own advantages. Here is what determines crumb structure and how to control it in your bakes.
Team Sourdough Joe · August 23, 2026
Sourdough Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe
A dramatic, puffy oven pancake made with sourdough discard. It rises sky-high in the oven, collapses beautifully, and takes about 5 minutes of prep.
Team Sourdough Joe · August 21, 2026
Sourdough Beginners Week One Baking Schedule
A complete day-by-day schedule for your first week of sourdough baking. From creating your starter to pulling your first loaf from the oven, every step is covered.
Team Sourdough Joe · August 18, 2026
Five Ways to Make Sourdough More Flavorful
If your sourdough bread tastes bland or one-dimensional, these five simple changes will unlock deeper, more complex flavors in every loaf.
Team Sourdough Joe · August 16, 2026
Sourdough Grape Focaccia Schiacciata Recipe
A classic Tuscan harvest bread studded with sweet grapes, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with sugar. Sourdough makes this traditional schiacciata even better.
Team Sourdough Joe · August 14, 2026
Sourdough Starter Won't Rise: Troubleshooting Guide
Your sourdough starter is flat and lifeless? Do not panic. Here are the most common reasons starters refuse to rise and exactly how to fix each one.
Team Sourdough Joe · August 11, 2026
Can You Make Sourdough in a Bread Machine?
Yes, you can use a bread machine for sourdough — but with some important caveats. Here is how to get the best results and where a bread machine falls short.
Team Sourdough Joe · August 9, 2026
Sourdough Burger Buns That Hold Up
Soft, pillowy sourdough burger buns that actually hold together through a loaded burger. No more soggy, collapsing buns.
Team Sourdough Joe · August 7, 2026
Sourdough Cheese Bread: Three Tasty Variations
Three ways to bake incredible sourdough cheese bread — from a gooey cheddar pull-apart to a sharp Parmesan-crusted boule and a spicy pepper jack loaf.
Team Sourdough Joe · August 4, 2026
What Is a Levain and Why Do Some Recipes Want You to Build One?
You've got a healthy starter, so why do some recipes ask you to build a separate levain? Here's the difference, why it matters for flavor and timing, and how to build one that peaks at exactly the right moment.
Team Sourdough Joe · August 2, 2026