If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at baking sourdough, 2025 is the perfect time to start! At Uprooted Journey, we believe sourdough is more than just a type of bread — it’s a living, breathing creation that connects us to tradition and the process of slow, intentional baking. And the best part? Anyone can learn how to bake sourdough, even if you’ve never baked bread before.
In today’s post, we’re sharing a beginner’s guide to starting your sourdough journey. From creating your own starter to baking your first loaf, we’ve got you covered.
1. Creating Your Sourdough Starter
The first step in any sourdough journey is creating your starter. A starter is a mixture of flour and water that captures wild yeast from the air, which then ferments and causes the dough to rise.
Here’s a basic recipe for a beginner’s sourdough starter: Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup water (room temperature)
Instructions:
- Mix the flour and water in a clean jar. Stir until combined, and cover loosely with a cloth or lid.
- Let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours.
- After the first day, you should see some bubbles and notice a slight tang. Feed the starter every day by discarding half and adding equal parts flour and water.
Tip: Be patient! It can take up to a week for your starter to fully develop its characteristic tang and rise.
2. Feeding and Maintaining Your Starter
Once your starter is active, you’ll need to keep feeding it regularly. We recommend feeding it once a day with equal parts flour and water. If you’re planning on baking less frequently, you can refrigerate your starter and feed it once a week.
3. Mixing Your Dough
Once your starter is bubbly and has doubled in size, you’re ready to mix your dough. Use your starter, flour, water, and salt to create a simple dough. Mix it by hand or with a dough hook attachment if you have a mixer.
4. The First Rise (Bulk Fermentation)
After mixing, allow the dough to rise for several hours. Sourdough rises much slower than commercial yeast, but this slow fermentation is what gives it that amazing flavor and texture. You may need to let your dough rise for 6-8 hours, or even overnight.
5. Shaping and Baking
Once the dough has risen, you can shape it into a round or oval loaf, depending on your preference. Let it rest for a final rise, then score the top with a sharp knife before baking. Baking your sourdough with steam (either in a Dutch oven or with a pan of water) helps to achieve a perfect, crispy crust.
Baking sourdough is a fun, rewarding journey that’s well worth the patience. With a little time and a lot of love, you can create beautiful, homemade loaves that are sure to impress. And if you don’t have time to make your own, remember — you can always get a freshly baked loaf from Uprooted Journey!
Are you ready to start your sourdough journey? Let us know how it goes, or if you have any questions along the way. You can also visit us at the Rockwall Farmers Market to grab a loaf and get some inspiration for your first bake!