Once your starter is active, the next step is learning how to turn it into bread.
This is where sourdough starts to make sense.
The biggest shift for beginners is understanding that sourdough is not just about following a recipe—it’s about learning what your dough is telling you.
Explore bread baking:
Understanding Fermentation
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What is bulk fermentation?
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How long should bulk fermentation take?
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How do I know when bulk fermentation is finished?
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Why did my dough overferment?
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Can I leave my dough overnight?
Proofing Your Dough
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What is proofing?
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Room temperature proof vs fridge proof
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How long should I proof my dough?
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How do I know when my dough is ready to bake?
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Can I bake straight from the fridge?
Shaping Your Loaf
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Why do we shape sourdough?
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How do I shape a round loaf?
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How do I shape a batard?
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Why won’t my dough hold tension?
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Do I need a banneton?
Scoring & Baking
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Why do we score sourdough?
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How deep should I score my dough?
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Why did my score burst?
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Can I bake without a Dutch oven?
Learning these steps helps take the guesswork out of baking and gives you a better understanding of why your loaf behaves the way it does.