Sourdough bread is more than just a delicious way to bake—it’s a journey into the science of sourdough, the history of traditional bread, and the art of creating your own sourdough starter. Whether you’re a beginner baker or an experienced baker, the right sourdough cookbook can make a big difference in your success. These favorite books are perfect for anyone wanting to explore the craft of sourdough, master gluten development, or understand the nuances of baking with wild yeast. Whether you’re looking for the best sourdough book to get started to eat with some soup or to expand your sourdough skills, here’s the best I’ve read.
Tartine Bread by Chad Robertson
No list of sourdough books is complete without this classic. Chad Robertson, a leader in artisan bread baking, shares his passion for traditional bread with clear guidance on creating the perfect loaf.It’s a two-day process to make the bread, but this is the book I reach for time and time again when I want to make the perfect loaf. Check out his famous recipe for “country bread.”
Why You’ll Love It:
- Offers a detailed sourdough section for mastering pan loaves, batards, and more.
- Combines the history of sourdough with practical advice for the home kitchen.
- Ideal for sourdough bakers ready to refine their techniques.
Daily Sourdough by Lisa Bass
Lisa Bass, the creator of the popular blog Farmhouse on Boone, brings her approachable style and passion for homesteading into this delightful sourdough guide. Perfect for busy home bakers, this cookbook focuses on incorporating sourdough into your daily routine with ease. I really love the timelines that this book features. So many other sourdough books don’t have the feeding schedule over a couple of days and this book made it so clear to me.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Simple explanations of sourdough basics for beginners.
- Family-friendly recipes like sourdough pancakes, skillet pizza, and rolls.
Flour Water Salt Yeast by Ken Forkish
This James Beard Award-winning cookbook is a must-have for any bread enthusiast. It covers the fundamentals of artisan bread, including sourdough, with detailed techniques and approachable recipes, making it one of the best bread books for both beginners and pros.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Step-by-step tutorials on mastering oven spring and kneading techniques.
- Detailed explanations of the science of bread and how it applies to sourdough.
- Ideal for home cooks and aspiring professional bakers.
Artisan Sourdough Made Simple by Emilie Raffa
A good book for beginner bakers, this guide simplifies sourdough into manageable steps with approachable recipes for the home baker. Emilie Raffa’s straightforward approach is perfect for creating delicious recipes without spending a lot of time.
Why You’ll Love It:
- A great first book for anyone starting their sourdough journey
- Learn to bake sourdough using a minimalistic approach.
- Includes recipes for pan loaves, focaccia, and even sweet treats.
The Sourdough School by Vanessa Kimbell
For bakers passionate about the science of bread and the health benefits of sourdough, this book is an invaluable resource. Vanessa Kimbell of The Sourdough School dives deep into how sourdough affects digestion and overall wellness.
Why You’ll Love It:
- A great resource for sourdough bakers interested in fermentation science.
- Focus on baking for gut health with practical sourdough tips.
- Beautiful photography that inspires creativity in the home kitchen.
Heritage Baking by Ellen King
Ellen King, co-founder of the acclaimed Hewn Bakery, takes readers on a journey into heritage grains and artisan baking. This book is perfect for bakers interested in exploring the history and flavor of whole-grain sourdough breads. This beautiful book explores the use of ancient grains and whole grains to craft exceptional sourdough bread. It’s perfect for bakers who want to connect with local and traditional bread techniques. I am a very frequent customer of Hewn Bakery and can speak to delicious and unique flavors of their bread.
This cookbook also features sourdough made with fresh-milled flour, something many other sourdough books don’t talk about.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Recipes focused on heirloom and local breads.
- A deep dive into baking with unique flours like einkorn and spelt.
- Inspirational for those seeking to elevate their final product.
Runners-Up: More Sourdough Books to Explore
These bread books are beloved by sourdough bakers and are worth adding to your collection if you’re diving deeper into the world of sourdough and bread-making in general:
The Bread Baker’s Apprentice by Peter Reinhart
A James Beard award-winning classic, this book breaks down the fundamentals of artisan bread with accessible techniques for every skill level.
The Bread Builders by Alan Scott and Daniel Wing
Perfect for bakers interested in traditional bread and wood-fired ovens, this book blends baking history with practical advice. https://amzn.to/3PLpcti
Modernist Bread by Nathan Myhrvold and Francisco Migoya
This visually stunning series dives into cutting-edge techniques and the science of sourdough, ideal for professional bakers. I apparently asked for this one year for my birthday, which my husband was ready to do until he opened the ordering page and saw the price tag. Wow!
The Sourdough Whisperer by Elaine Boddy
A friendly guide for beginners, this book focuses on building your own starter and mastering simple, flavorful recipes.
Bread: A Baker’s Book of Techniques and Recipes by Jeffrey Hamelman
Hamelman’s detailed instructions and artisan techniques make this book a go-to for experienced bakers seeking precision.
Bread Science by Emily Buehler
This book is a fascinating exploration of the science of bread, offering insights into fermentation, proofing, and baking.
The Bread Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum
With recipes ranging from pan loaves to brioche (beyond just sourdough), this book offers foolproof guidance and troubleshooting for home bakers.
FAQ
For beginners, Artisan Sourdough Made Simple by Emilie Raffa is a fantastic choice. It simplifies the sourdough process, offering easy-to-follow recipes and practical tips for creating delicious bread without a lot of time or special equipment. I’d also recommend Daily Sourdough, which is excellent for simplifying the whole process.
If you’re interested in the science of bread, The Sourdough School by Vanessa Kimbell and The Bread Baker’s Apprentice by Peter Reinhart provide excellent insights. Both dive into fermentation, gluten development, and the biology of sourdough starters.
Yes! Each book on this list is designed with the home baker in mind. While some cater to more experienced bakers, like Tartine Bread, others, such as Flour Water Salt Yeast, bridge the gap between beginners and professionals.
Most of the books recommend basic tools like a Dutch oven (or a combo cooker per Tartine Bread), a bench scraper, and proofing baskets. However, Emilie Raffa’s Artisan Sourdough Made Simple is great for those who want to start with minimal equipment.
Yes, many of the books, including Heritage Baking, emphasize recipes using whole grains and ancient grains like einkorn, spelt, and rye. These grains add unique flavors and textures to your bread.
Heritage Baking highlight local breads and traditional baking techniques, making them ideal for those passionate about artisan sourdough with a regional touch.
Conclusion
Whether you’re diving into beginners sourdough baking with Artisan Sourdough Made Simple, exploring local breads and ancient grains with Hewn, or mastering the perfect loaf with Tartine Bread, these bread cookbooks are the best companions for your sourdough journey. Each offers something unique, from learning to make your own sourdough starter to achieving bakery-quality results at home.
Leave a Reply