Recipes & Guides
Step-by-step sourdough recipes, starter guides, and the baking science behind every loaf.
How to Make Sourdough Starter More Active
Is your starter sluggish, slow to rise, or barely doubling? Here are proven strategies to boost its activity and get it reliably peaking on schedule.
Team Sourdough Joe · June 30, 2026
Why Your Sourdough Keeps Spreading Flat (And How to Fix Your Shaping)
That pancake-shaped loaf isn't a fermentation problem. It's a shaping problem. Here are the techniques that finally gave me tall, round loaves with real oven spring.
Team Sourdough Joe · June 19, 2026
High-Altitude Sourdough Baking Adjustments
Baking above 3,000 feet? Your sourdough behaves differently up there. Here is a complete guide to adjusting every variable for altitude.
Team Sourdough Joe · June 12, 2026
Troubleshooting Gummy Sourdough Bread
Your sourdough looks perfect on the outside but the crumb is gummy, sticky, or doughy inside? Here are the most likely causes and fixes.
Team Sourdough Joe · June 2, 2026
Why Your Sourdough Crust Is Too Thick (and How to Fix It)
A thick, jaw-breaking crust ruins an otherwise perfect loaf. Here are the most common causes and exactly what to change in your process.
Team Sourdough Joe · May 12, 2026
Sourdough in Hot Weather: Summer Baking Tips
When your kitchen hits 85°F, sourdough goes into overdrive. Here is how to slow things down and still bake great bread when the temperature climbs.
Team Sourdough Joe · May 8, 2026
Why Your Sourdough Is Flat: The Complete Troubleshooting Guide
Flat sourdough is the most common complaint among home bakers. This guide covers every possible cause, from starter health to oven setup, with specific fixes for each one.
Team Sourdough Joe · April 21, 2026
Reading Your Crumb: What the Inside of Your Bread Is Telling You
Your bread's crumb is a diagnostic report on every decision you made during the bake. Learn to read it and you will know exactly what to adjust next time.
Team Sourdough Joe · April 14, 2026
7 Tips for Better Oven Spring in Sourdough Bread
Oven spring is the dramatic rise your bread gets in the first minutes of baking. If yours is underwhelming, these seven adjustments can make a significant difference.
Team Sourdough Joe · April 10, 2026
Sticky Dough Everywhere: Understanding and Mastering Hydration
Your dough is sticking to everything, your hands, the counter, your self-esteem. Here’s why high hydration dough behaves the way it does and how to work with it instead of fighting it.
Team Sourdough Joe · January 22, 2026