If you told me a few years ago that I’d be the kind of person to wax poetic about homemade sourdough bread, I might have laughed. Yet here I am, lovingly tending to my starter as if it’s a second child and baking loaves of bread that have become more than just food—they’ve become a ritual in our home.

A Gift That Keeps Giving

The heart of our sourdough journey lies in the starter—a gift from Carlton’s mom, Julie. It arrived in a simple jar, accompanied by her advice and encouragement. I’ll admit, at first, I was intimidated by the idea of “feeding” this living thing. 

It’s also become a gift I’ve shared with friends. There’s something magical about passing on a piece of this bubbling, living mixture and knowing it will have the opportunity to be made into bread, forgotten, or transformed into something else. I’ve loved hearing from friends who’ve used their starter to bake their first loaves, make pancakes for their kids, or experiment with new sourdough discard recipes.

Sourdough as a Staple

At first, my homemade sourdough experiments were focused on the classic loaf. There’s something almost meditative about the process: mixing, kneading, waiting (so much waiting), and finally pulling a golden-crusted masterpiece out of the oven. The tangy aroma fills the kitchen, and the first slice—still warm and slathered with butter—is pure bliss.

As I became more comfortable with the process, I started branching out. Sourdough bread bowls for soup became a cozy favorite during chilly Minnesota winters. Sourdough dinner rolls have graced our table for meals, each one a testament to the power of simple, homemade food.

The Magic of Sourdough Discard

One of the unexpected joys of sourdough baking has been discovering ways to use the discard—the portion of starter you remove before feeding it. At first, I felt guilty tossing it away. But then I realized it could be the secret ingredient in a whole host of recipes, adding depth and flavor to everyday treats.

My go-to sourdough discard recipes have become staples in their own right. There’s the sourdough discard coffee cake, perfect for weekend brunches or an afternoon pick-me-up. It’s moist, slightly tangy, and topped with a cinnamon streusel that might just make you swoon. Then there are the banana and oat muffins, which are my solution to overripe bananas and a craving for something hearty yet wholesome (and Graham’s favorite!). And let’s not forget the blueberry muffins, where the discard adds a subtle tang that perfectly complements the sweet burst of blueberries.

These recipes have become part of our family’s rhythm. They’re the treats we share with neighbors, the snacks tucked into lunchboxes, and the goodies I bake when I want to show someone I care. Each one is a little love letter from our kitchen.

Since When Do I Care About Homemade?

Baking sourdough has reinforced something I’ve just started to believe: that homemade food is more than just sustenance. It’s an act of care, a way of saying, “You are loved.” In a world increasingly dominated by processed and convenience foods, there’s a quiet rebellion in choosing to make something from scratch. It’s about more than just the ingredients; it’s about the intention.

There’s also a growing recognition of the value of quality ingredients. Homemade sourdough exemplifies this beautifully. It’s made with just flour, water, salt, and time. Yet the result is something greater than the sum of its parts, a testament to the power of patience and simplicity. For our family, it’s also a reminder to slow down, to savor the process as much as the product.

Sourdough has become woven into the fabric of our home. It’s there in the smell of fresh bread on a Tuesday morning, in the clink of forks against plates as we enjoy a slice of coffee cake, in the shared laughter over a slightly misshapen loaf (which happens often). It’s in the stories we tell about Julie’s gift and the friends we’ve shared it with. It’s in the quiet pride I feel when I see my family enjoying something I’ve made with my own hands.

If you’ve been hesitant to dive into the world of homemade sourdough, consider this your invitation. Start with a simple recipe, embrace the imperfections, and let it become a part of your story. There’s no right or wrong way to do it—only the joy of creating something meaningful and delicious.

As I’ve learned, sourdough is so much more than a trend. It’s a connection to our family, a celebration of success, and a gift for the people in our life. And for our family, it’s here to stay—forever a cherished part of Love of Luverne.