The best weekend pancakes! This past week, I've been on a pancake bender. My kids are home for summer break, and that casual morning bowl of cereal doesn't seem to cut it. Their excuse: it's summer break, let's make it fun. (They're using this newly acquired justification for just about everything now, BTW.) But honestly, you don't have to strongarm me into making yet another batch of homemade pancakes—especially sourdough ones. I love them, and they're so incredibly easy. To change things...
10 days ago • 2 min read
My Memorial Day baking plan Hello Reader, This Memorial Day weekend usually marks that magical moment when we finally crawl out of hibernation and fire up the grill, and if you're anything like me, you're probably scrambling to get your garden situation sorted out too. My gardening revolves around not simply what I want to eat in the kitchen, but what will go well with all the bread I plan to bake this summer and early fall. I am a baker, after all 🙂 In this week's newsletter, I have a...
17 days ago • 3 min read
The most amazing sandwich bread Hey, Baker. I've been preparing for a baking class I'm co-teaching in Chimacum Valley this week (more to come next week). But before I leave, I have to stock the house with my favorite sandwich bread: my sourdough Pain de Mie. If you haven't made this ethereal loaf, it will be your favorite in short order. Make the levain today and you'll have a couple of beautiful loaves for the weekend! In this week's newsletter: Recipe: Pain de mie sandwich bread Baking Tip:...
24 days ago • 2 min read
Store your starter for vacation, hamburger buns & more! Hello, bread-making friends! As summer vacations approach, I wanted to share my trusted method for putting your sourdough starter into "hibernation" mode during your travels—and then waking it back up when you return. The process is super simple. With minimal adjustments to your routine, your refrigerator becomes a temporary home for your starter, where it can patiently wait until you're ready to bake again. Once you're back, just a few...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Treats That'll Make Mom Happy Hey there, baker! The mom in your life probably isn't expecting anything, but even if they are, I guarantee any of the following will go above and beyond: Dark chocolate-cherry sourdough — My #1 pick, every year Chocolate knots — SO far superior to that ol' box of chocolates French canelé — crispy shell meets custardy interior Scones for breakfast — every mom deserves breakfast in bed Chocolate chip cookies — everyone loves a good (great) cookie Are you making...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Crusty loaves and fruit galettes (or pies) This past week, I've been baking with a variety of grains in testing: whole spelt, sifted durum, and a high-extraction wheat. This recipe isn't quite ready for prime time just yet. I want to try a more slender shape and pronounced tips—almost like a demi-baguette, but not quite that far. But, I'm super happy with the flour blend—spelt and durum work super well together, it's no wonder they're two widely used grains out in Italy! Check them out: I...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Dreamy cakes and muffins! A hint of warmth outside has me in full-on lemon cake mode, that familiar spring urge to bring brightness to the kitchen after months of hearty winter baking. But why stop at lemon? My countertop has become a playground for blueberry swirls, banana and date-studded loaves. Like many Italians, I first turn to my reliable favorite: the super simple Italian ciambella—that beautifully golden ring cake with its tender crumb and subtle sweetness. It stands alongside the...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Sourdough calzone, pizza, and focaccia This week, with the return of warm weather outside, I was eager to fire up my wood-fired oven and bake pizza, calzones, and focaccia. However, don't worry; if you don't have a wood-fired oven, all of these recipes can be prepared just as well in a home oven. I mean, look at this beauty right out of the oven: This dough is based on my Sourdough Pizza Dough, which has been available on the site for years. It's designed for home ovens, but it works well in...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
New: The chewiest oatmeal cookies! One of my favorite things as a kid was the classic oatmeal raisin cookie. Most of my friends would think I was nuts for grabbing the oatmeal cookie instead of the chocolate chip cookie. But there's something about the texture that does it for me, a substantial cookie that's chewy, thick, and yet very soft (fudgy, almost?). If you agree with me—or even if you think a CCC is better than oatmeal—you'll love this week's newest recipe. Read on! Oh, and a few...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read