Bakers' Playbook

Glass jar of bubbly sourdough starter on a kitchen counter with flour and spoon, showing signs it needs feeding after developing a sharp acetone smell.

Sourdough Starter Smells Like Acetone or Nail P...

Acetone/nail-polish smell in sourdough starter usually means it’s hungry. Feed bigger (1:3:3) and at peak—most starters recover in 24–48 hours.

Sourdough Starter Smells Like Acetone or Nail P...

Acetone/nail-polish smell in sourdough starter usually means it’s hungry. Feed bigger (1:3:3) and at peak—most starters recover in 24–48 hours.

Bakery-style sourdough discard muffins with tall domes cooling on a rack, one split open to show a moist, fluffy crumb.

Sourdough Discard Muffins (Tender, Bakery-Style...

Tender, bakery-style sourdough discard muffins with tall domes—easy one-bowl recipe. Use fridge discard, add your favorite mix-ins, and bake in under 30 minutes.

Sourdough Discard Muffins (Tender, Bakery-Style...

Tender, bakery-style sourdough discard muffins with tall domes—easy one-bowl recipe. Use fridge discard, add your favorite mix-ins, and bake in under 30 minutes.

Thin sourdough discard crêpes stacked on a plate with lemon and berries beside a bowl of batter.

Sourdough Discard Crêpes (Easy, Thin, and Flexi...

Light, tender sourdough discard crêpes—thin, flexible, and fast. No fermentation needed. Perfect for sweet or savory fillings and easy weeknight wins.

Sourdough Discard Crêpes (Easy, Thin, and Flexi...

Light, tender sourdough discard crêpes—thin, flexible, and fast. No fermentation needed. Perfect for sweet or savory fillings and easy weeknight wins.

Overhead photo of a mechanical kitchen scale with flour in a bowl, measuring cups nearby, and a bubbly sourdough starter jar on a floured wooden counter.

Scale vs Cups: Why Grams Win (and Your Sourdoug...

Stop guessing with cups. Grams make sourdough repeatable: better hydration control, easier troubleshooting, stronger starter feeds, and more consistent loaves—fast.

Scale vs Cups: Why Grams Win (and Your Sourdoug...

Stop guessing with cups. Grams make sourdough repeatable: better hydration control, easier troubleshooting, stronger starter feeds, and more consistent loaves—fast.

Shaped sourdough dough in a floured banneton beside a clear proofing container and scoring tools on a wooden counter in soft window light.

What Is Proofing in Sourdough?

Proofing in sourdough includes bulk fermentation and final proof. Learn dough cues, how cold retard works, and when to refrigerate for flavor and clean scoring.

What Is Proofing in Sourdough?

Proofing in sourdough includes bulk fermentation and final proof. Learn dough cues, how cold retard works, and when to refrigerate for flavor and clean scoring.

Glass jar of sourdough starter at peak rise with bubbles and a rubber band marking the level on a kitchen counter.

Peak-to-Peak Feeding Explained: How to Time You...

Peak-to-peak feeding strengthens sourdough fast: feed right at peak rise to boost yeast, reduce acidity, and make your starter more consistent—without a strict clock.

Peak-to-Peak Feeding Explained: How to Time You...

Peak-to-peak feeding strengthens sourdough fast: feed right at peak rise to boost yeast, reduce acidity, and make your starter more consistent—without a strict clock.