Step 1: Unpack and Get to Know Your Tools
Our gift sets are designed to set you up for success.
Inside, you’ll find:
✅ A mature, ready-to-use dried sourdough starter
✅ A high-quality banneton for perfect dough shaping and proofing
✅ An ergonomic lame for scoring beautiful patterns and designs
✅ 2 bags of ingredients – bread flour and sea salt
✅ A dough scraper for easy handling and shaping of the dough
✅ A home for growing your sourdough culture – a glass mason jar
✅ A comprehensive step-by-step sourdough guide from pouch to loaf
📝 Tip: Read through the sourdough starter care guide before starting to familiarise yourself with the process.
Step 2: Feed Your Starter and Get It Active
Your sourdough journey begins with a healthy starter. Simply feed it with flour and water as per the included instructions. Within hours, you’ll see it bubbling and ready to work its magic.
🥣 How to Feed:
- Mix equal parts flour and water into your starter. We recommend 40g per feed, so 1:1 water:strong bread flour.
- Let it sit at room temperature until bubbly and doubled in size.
💡 Why This Matters: An active starter ensures a great rise and robust flavour.
Step 3: Mix, stretch and fold your dough
With your starter active, it’s time to make the dough. Our guide includes an easy-to-follow recipe with clear measurements and timing.
🥖 Quick Steps:
- Combine flour, water, salt, and starter.
- Mix until fully hydrated.
- Knead until smooth and elastic (or use the stretch-and-fold method).
🔑 Tip: Don’t rush this step! Proper gluten development is key to that airy crumb.
Step 4: Shape and Prove with Ease
Shaping your dough is easy with the included banneton, which helps support the dough during its final rise and adds that artisan spiral pattern.
🕒 How to Shape:
- Lightly flour your banneton.
- Shape the dough into a round or oval loaf.
- Place it seam-side up in the banneton to prove.
🌡️ Tip: Use the fridge for an overnight proof to deepen the flavour.
Step 5: Score and Bake to Perfection
Your dough is ready—now comes the fun part: scoring! Use the ergonomic lame to create patterns that not only look beautiful but also help control the expansion of the loaf in the oven.
🔥 Baking Tips:
- Preheat your oven with a Dutch oven inside.
- Score your dough just before baking.
- Bake covered for steam, then uncovered for a crispy crust.
Why Our Handmade Gift Sets Make Baking Easier:
✅ No waiting weeks for a starter to mature—ours is ready to go!
✅ Tools designed for both beginners and experienced bakers.
✅ Step-by-step guidance eliminates guesswork.
✅ Perfect as a gift or personal treat.
Customer Success Story
“I never thought I could bake sourdough, but this gift set made it so easy! The starter was strong from day one, and the instructions were crystal clear. I’ve been baking every weekend since!” — Emily R., Manchester
Ready to Start Your Sourdough Journey?
Baking sourdough at home doesn’t have to be complicated. With our Handmade Sourdough Starter Gift Sets, you’ll have everything you need to bake delicious bread and impress your family and friends. Order yours today and start baking with confidence!
