Hello friend! My name's Tatiana, and I’ve been baking sourdough for over a decade. I’m here to help you simplify the sourdough process, so you can bake beautiful, delicious bread right in your own kitchen, even if you’re just getting started.
Whether you’ve just heard the term “sourdough starter” for the first time or you've tried and struggled before, you’re in the right place. I’ll walk you through everything step-by-step: from building a starter, to baking your first loaf, to using your discard in delicious, low-waste recipes.
Step 1: Build Your Sourdough Starter
Sourdough is a slow-fermented bread made without commercial yeast. Instead, it’s leavened naturally using a wild yeast culture called a sourdough starter: just flour and water, brought to life over time.
New to this? If you don’t want to buy a starter and don’t have a friend to hand you some of theirs, I’ve got a step-by-step guide with photos to show you how to make a healthy sourdough starter from scratch.
Already a pro and ready to experiment with new ways to use your starter? I have a sourdough chocolate starter tutorial for those who are feeling adventurous!
Step 2: Learn to Feed and Maintain It
Once your starter is active, it needs regular feedings to stay strong. Don’t worry: this part can be super low-maintenance, and I’ll teach you how to work it into your schedule without the overwhelm.
Here, you'll learn:
- How to know when your starter is ready to bake with;
- What to do if you miss a feeding (hint: it’s not the end of the world!)
- How to store it in the fridge, and how to use it straight from it!
Get all my FREE sourdough starter guides here →
Step 3: Bake Your First Loaf
Once your starter is rising and falling predictably, it's time to bake! I recommend starting with my no-fuss beginner sourdough loaf. It’s a straightforward recipe designed to build confidence without sacrificing flavor.
Want to take things even slower? Try my sourdough discard dinner rolls: a great place to start that uses discard instead of waiting for an active starter.
Bake amazing sourdough bread with easy-to-follow recipes →
Step 4: Use Up Your Discard
I love using sourdough discard. It’s one of the best ways to reduce waste and boost flavor in everyday bakes. At Milk and Pop, you’ll find discard-friendly recipes like:
- Sourdough pancakes (fluffy, fast and with no eggs!);
- Chocolate sourdough cake (reader favorite!);
- Chewy chocolate cookies, gourmet crackers, and more!
Explore my sourdough discard recipes →
Step 5: Get Inspired and Keep Going
As you get more confident, you’ll find yourself wanting to try new things: buttermilk sandwich loaves, flaky sourdough biscuits, and more. You’ll also pick up handy skills along the way, like how to revive a weak starter or experiment with different scoring styles to make your loaves really stand out.
I share tons of scoring ideas and tips over on Instagram, so if that sounds like your thing, come give me a follow! Also, don’t forget to tag @milkandpop: I love seeing your bakes!
Want to be part of my close-knit baking community? 💌
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And remember: you don’t need fancy equipment or years of experience. Just flour, water, and a little patience. And I’ll be right here, helping you every step of the way. Now, let’s bake!