My bread looks like a French beret, long with a little puff. I found out that my oven cooks really hot at 450 degrees so I need to watch it more closely. I found my dough to be very sticky after rising, would it be better to put it in the refrigerator? My first try was not the best looking loaf but I gave it the old college try! I would love all the help and ideas you can give this beginner.

Focus: Understanding + caring for starter Challenge: Feed & Bake with your starter once per week - Reading starter readiness - Fridge-to-dough method (Sandra’s Simple Method) - Small starter maintenance If you feel intimidated by your Sourdough starter, this will be month that you get to know your starter a little bit better to help ease some of your concerns. Introduce Your Starter: Picture? Do you have name for your starter? How old is it? Did you start it from scratch or get it from a friend? What question do you have?

I'm from Minnesota, so January is especially cold, but people also swear off carbs so January is usually slow for my bakery as well. I tend to take the month to stay inside, try new recipes, watch movies, & read books. This week I am going to be testing a Rye Wheat Sourdough. Has anyone tried it? Please share you experience.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate what you’ve accomplished this month — big or small, every win matters. Whether you baked your first loaf, stayed consistent with your starter, tried a new recipe, organized your kitchen, or simply showed up when life felt full… that counts. This community is built on progress, not perfection, and January was all about laying foundations. Drop your January wins in the comments below so we can cheer each other on — your courage to share might be exactly what someone else needs today.

Hello! Welcome to Sourdough Made Simple. The community for home bakers that want to build confidence and skills in the kitchen. I am so glad that you are here! Introduce yourself, tell us how long you have been baking, and what you are looking forward to the most about this community!