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How to Reactivate a Dehydrated Sourdough Starter
Are you ready to embark on a little kitchen science experiment? Today, I’m going to guide you through the process of reactivating a dehydrated sourdough starter. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a new to sourdough, this step-by-step guide will have your starter bubbling and ready for action in no time! This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through these links. What You’ll Need: Dehydrated sourd

Jenny Derrickson
Jun 21, 2024


Homemade Cheese Puffs (Gougères): The Snack That Disappears Fast
If you're new around here, hi — I’m Jenny, your neighborhood sourdough baker who occasionally steps away from the loaves to make something dangerously addictive. Today we’re talking cheese puffs … or if we’re being fancy, gougères . I made a sped-up piping video the other day, and let’s just say you guys loved it. My DMs were full of: "I need the recipe like… right now.” So here we are — let’s bake some cheese puffs together. These look fancy, but they’re honestly one bo

Jenny Derrickson
Nov 29, 2025


Sourdough Starter Maintenance & Health
There’s something magical about a healthy sourdough starter — the bubbles, the tangy aroma, the way it comes alive when it’s at its peak. Whether you’re brand new to sourdough or have been baking for years, understanding your starter’s health is the key to consistent, beautiful loaves. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to keep your sourdough starter strong — from how often to feed it, to what flours help it thrive, and how to recognize when somet

Jenny Derrickson
Oct 23, 2025


How to Make a Pumpkin-Shaped Sourdough Beginner Friendly)
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Sourdough 🎃 It’s festive and fun. Shaped like a pumpkin, this loaf is perfect for fall holidays, parties, or even just cozy family dinners. 💛 Beginner-friendly. The step-by-step instructions make it possible even if this is your very first sourdough bake. 🍞 Still delicious sourdough. It’s not just about the look, you still get that chewy, tangy, golden-crusted bread we all love. ✨ A showstopper centerpiece. Bring this to Thanksg

Jenny Derrickson
Sep 19, 2025


Fermentation Made Simple
If you’re anything like me, fermentation has probably been the trickiest part of sourdough baking. You mix your ingredients, do your stretch and folds, then you wait…and wonder… is it done yet? 😅 This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through these links. The truth is that fermentation is less about the clock and more about learning to read your dough. Recipes may say “bulk ferment for 4–6 hours,

Jenny Derrickson
Aug 29, 2025


Why is Unprocessed Food Better
🥖 Why Unprocessed Food Like Sourdough Is Better for You (And Why People Are Finally Waking Up) For a long time, we stopped asking what was in our food. We trusted the labels. If something said, “low fat” or “heart healthy,” we tossed it in the cart and called it good. But something wasn’t right. Our food was changing—and so were we. Now, people are paying attention again. They're baking bread, shopping farmers markets, reading ingredient lists, and asking questions like: "W

Jenny Derrickson
Aug 5, 2025


Flour 101 for Sourdough Bakers
Sourdough baking starts with three things: flour, water, and salt. But flour, humble as it may seem is where the magic (or the frustration) begins. Whether you're just getting into sourdough or you're deep into hydration tweaks and starter rituals, understanding your flour is essential. In this deep dive, we’ll break down: The different types of wheat flour (and some non-wheat options) How the milling process affects flavor, nutrition, and fermentation Organic vs. convent

Jenny Derrickson
Jul 22, 2025


Soft & Chewy Carrot Cake Cookies (with Sourdough Discard!)
If you love carrot cake but want something quicker to whip up (and easier to share!), you’re going to love these carrot cake cookies . They’re soft, chewy, packed with texture from oats, carrots, coconut, and raisins—and they taste just like your favorite slice of carrot cake. Bonus? This recipe uses sourdough discard for a little extra tang and to cut down on waste. Win-win! This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

Jenny Derrickson
Jun 7, 2025


The Easiest No-Knead Sourdough Focaccia You'll Ever Make
There’s something magical about bread that almost makes itself—minimal effort, big flavor, and that deeply satisfying crunch when you tear into it. This No-Knead Sourdough Focaccia has become a go-to in my kitchen for busy days or when I want to impress without the stress. Whether you're baking for a family dinner or just craving something soul-soothing, this one’s a winner. This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if

Jenny Derrickson
May 1, 2025


The Ultimate Farmers Market Survival Guide
When I first dipped my toes into the world of farmers markets, I had a humble setup: just three sourdough loaves and a mountain of cookies. It was a small church camp market, and I quickly learned that the kids on recess were my primary customers. Fast forward a year, and I've gathered a wealth of knowledge about what works (and what doesn't) at these markets. One of the most valuable lessons? Know your market. Before setting up as a vendor, visit the market as a customer. Ob

Jenny Derrickson
Apr 15, 2025


The Journey of a Loaf: From Starter to Market Table
There’s something magical about taking a simple mixture of flour, water, and salt and turning it into a loaf of bread that brings people joy. But behind every crusty, golden-brown sourdough loaf at my market table is a journey—one that starts days before the first customer ever lays eyes on it. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my baking process, from the very first stir of my starter to the moment I hand a fresh loaf to a happy customer. This post contains affiliate

Jenny Derrickson
Mar 28, 2025


Why Sourdough?
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through these links. Why 81% of Consumers Care About Food Ingredients—And Why Sourdough is a Smart Choice In an era of heightened food awareness, consumers are more conscious than ever about what goes into their food. Studies show that 81% of consumers want to know the ingredients in their food, and it’s easy to see why. With growing concerns about artificial

Jenny Derrickson
Feb 9, 2025


Why Is Your Sourdough Dense? (And How to Fix It)
One of the most frustrating things for any sourdough baker—whether you’re a beginner or experienced—is pulling a dense, heavy loaf out of the oven when you were expecting a light, airy crumb. Trust me, I’ve been there. Even after opening my microbakery, I had moments where my loaves turned out denser than I’d hoped. It took time, experimentation, and a lot of troubleshooting to understand what went wrong and how to fix it. Here’s a deep dive into why your sourdough might be d

Jenny Derrickson
Jan 29, 2025


Eating Healthy Today
Eating Healthy Today: A Journey to Wellness The concept of “eating healthy” has evolved significantly over the decades. From the low-fat craze of the 1980s to the organic and farm-to-table movements of today, our understanding of nutrition has grown alongside our awareness of how food impacts our health. For me, this journey is deeply personal. It’s not just about trends or labels—it’s about reclaiming my health and finding a way to thrive. My Health Transformation In 2008, I

Jenny Derrickson
Jan 18, 2025


Understanding Starter Ratios and Scaling Up Your Starter
A sourdough starter is the heart of baking sourdough bread. Mastering its care and scaling it effectively opens a world of baking possibilities. Whether you're feeding your starter for maintenance or preparing for a big baking day, understanding ratios is essential. This guide will help you navigate feeding ratios, calculations, and techniques for scaling your starter for multiple loaves. This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra

Jenny Derrickson
Jan 8, 2025


Orange Cranberry Sourdough Focaccia
Cranberry Orange Sourdough Focaccia: A Sweet and Tangy Holiday Delight If you're looking for a festive twist on traditional focaccia, this Cranberry Orange Sourdough Focaccia is the perfect choice. I found this receipe from Country Roads Sourdough and I love it! Bursting with the bright flavors of fresh cranberries and orange, topped with a buttery streusel and drizzled with creamy white chocolate, this bake is as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether you're hosting a holiday

Jenny Derrickson
Dec 18, 2024


Autolyse vs. Fermentolyse
What's the Difference and Why They Matter in Bread Baking Understanding Autolyse Autolyse, pronounced aw-toh-lees , is a method developed by French baker Raymond Calvel. It involves mixing flour and water together and letting them rest before adding other ingredients like salt or sourdough starter. This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through these links. How it Works: During the rest peri

Jenny Derrickson
Dec 5, 2024


How to Make Beautiful and Delicious Star Bread
Mastering Star Bread: A Step-by-Step Recipe for a Showstopping Holiday Treat When the holiday season rolls around, there's no better centerpiece for your table than a gorgeous, golden-brown Sourdough Star Bread . Not only does it look impressive, but it's soft, fluffy, and delicious—perfect for sharing with friends and family. Whether you're a seasoned baker or trying something new, this star bread recipe is surprisingly easy to make and is bound to impress! Looking for the b

Jenny Derrickson
Oct 6, 2024


Super Easy Sourdough Bread Recipe for Beginners
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at sourdough baking but were intimidated by complicated recipes, I’ve got great news for you: this recipe is simple, beginner-friendly, and only requires a few basic ingredients. Plus, nothing beats the smell of freshly baked sourdough coming out of your oven! Before we jump into the recipe, let’s talk about the key ingredients and tools you’ll need to make this sourdough magic happen. The Basics of Sourdough Sourdough bread is made thro

Jenny Derrickson
Sep 24, 2024


The Ultimate Guide to Freezing and Thawing Sourdough Bread
Sourdough bread is a delicious and nutritious staple, but what if you can’t finish it all in one go? Freezing your sourdough can be a lifesaver, ensuring you always have fresh bread on hand. Here’s how to do it right! This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through these links. Freezing Sourdough Bread: Best Practices Slice Before Freezing: Slice your sourdough before freezing to make thawing easi

Jenny Derrickson
Aug 26, 2024
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