If you’ve ever tried to bake sourdough and ended up with a flat, gummy, or over-proofed loaf… you’re not alone. Sourdough baking can feel like a science experiment at first (and sometimes a stressful one!). But with the right guidance, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Our You Knead Sourdough Masterclass was designed to take you from “I have no idea what I’m doing” to confidently baking beautiful, crusty loaves from scratch, all from your own kitchen.
Here are 8 common beginner mistakes (we’ve all made them!) and how our Masterclass helps you fix them for good.
1. Neglecting Your Starter
Your starter is the heart of your sourdough, but knowing when it’s “active” can be confusing. Too young, and your dough won’t rise. Too old, and it can turn sluggish or sour.
In Lesson 1, we walk you through activating your starter flakes, how to know when it’s ready to use, and how to keep it healthy long-term. You’ll even learn to troubleshoot common starter issues before they derail your bake.
2. Rushing the Process
Sourdough isn’t your typical bread. It needs time to rest, rise, and develop flavour. Many beginners rush through steps or skip rests, leading to dense, chewy loaves.
Our Masterclass lessons guide you through the rhythm of sourdough. When to wait, when to fold, and how to tell your dough is ready to move to the next stage. Once you learn the flow, it all starts to click.
3. Not Understanding Dough Texture
Sourdough dough can feel unpredictable. Sometimes it’s sticky, sometimes firm, and it’s hard to know what’s right. Beginners often get frustrated trying to fix it, not realising it’s just part of the natural process.
Lesson 2 of our Masterclass helps you recognise the subtle cues of properly mixed dough: the look, the stretch, and the bounce. Once you learn these signs, you’ll mix with confidence every single time.
4. Skipping Stretch and Folds
Think of stretch and folds as little strength sessions for your dough. Skip them, and your loaf won’t have that gorgeous open crumb or tall rise.
In Lesson 2, we teach the stretch and fold technique. How often to do it, why it matters, and what your dough should look like at each stage of bulk fermentation.
5. Not Knowing When to Shape
Timing your shaping can make or break your loaf. Shape too early and your dough can tear; too late and it becomes sticky and flat.
In Lesson 3: Shaping Your Dough, you’ll see the process step-by-step, so you can finally nail that smooth, round boule without the stress.
6. Flat Loaves and Poor Oven Spring
That disappointing “pancake loaf” is often caused by overproofing, scoring or oven baking issues.
In Lesson 4, we show you how to score your dough like a pro, bake it for maximum oven spring, and even store it properly so it stays fresh and crisp for days.
7. Not Knowing What Went Wrong
Sourdough can be unpredictable, especially when you’re just starting out.
Lesson 5 dives deep into troubleshooting your dough. Whether it’s too wet, too dense, or sticking to your banneton. You’ll also learn how to clean and care for your banneton properly, so it lasts for years.
8. Throwing Away Discard
Every beginner feels guilty tossing out discard, but it’s actually a goldmine for delicious recipes.
Our Masterclass includes bonus recipes like Discard Crackers, and Sourdough Crumpets, showing you how to use every bit of your starter and reduce waste in the tastiest way possible.
Ready to Master Your Loaf?
Sourdough doesn’t have to be intimidating. With step-by-step videos, visual guides, and expert troubleshooting, the You Knead Sourdough Masterclass takes out all the guesswork, and replaces it with confidence (and crusty loaves!).
Join the Masterclass today and start baking sourdough you’ll be proud to share.