Your Biggest Sourdough Block (and how to unlock it)

I’ve been working with sourdough for over a decade, and I’ve noticed a common block with sourdough bakers waiting to happen.

It’s Timing.

More specifically: coming up with a game plan and just doing it.

You’ll hear the term “baker’s schedule” thrown around in the sourdough community, which either feels familiar or out-of-place depending on where you’re at with sourdough.

Schedule what exactly? 

Just like making an appointment, meeting with a friend, or anything else you choose to fit into your calendar, sourdough needs a dedicated spot too, otherwise it won’t work. 

You’ll fail.

And the failing I’m referring to has nothing to do with following recipe instructions; it has everything to do with understanding the importance of following a timeline.

Would an architect start building without a plan?

Establishing a baker’s schedule is your personalized game plan to start sourdough now.

This is best understood by example, so here are a few general options.

For The Weekend Baker

Option 1: Let’s say you want fresh bread on Sunday morning, around 9 AM. Because sourdough takes time to rise, this means you’ll have to start the day before. Feed your starter on Saturday afternoon to activate it. Then make the dough in the late evening, and allow it to bulk rise overnight at room temperature. Bake in the morning.

Option 2: Let’s say you want fresh bread on Sunday morning, around 9 AM. But you want to make the dough during the day (instead of at night, like the above example). Again, you’ll need to start the day before. Feed your starter on Saturday morning to activate it. Make the dough, and bulk rise during the day until it’s risen to approximately 75%. Shape the dough, and then cold proof in the fridge overnight (2nd rise). Bake in the morning.

In Both Examples, Your Roadmap Is A 5-Step Process:

1. Define goal (when do you want bread?)
2. Activate starter
3. Pick a recipe (that resonates with your goal)
4. Plan backwards
5. Execute

Got that?

I want you to follow, adjust, and modify my 5-step process every single time you want to make bread.

It can be adapted to suit any sourdough bread recipe, paying close attention to time, temperature and additional variables unique to your specific conditions.

When you do this, like really commit to establishing a baker’s schedule that works for you in real life, your timing won’t hold you back anymore.

It just won’t.

Because now, you have a plan to start.

So start now: here’s my sourdough bread beginner’s guide & recipe to put it altogether.

And as always, comment below with your personal baker’s schedule and why it works for you!