The Sourdough Bible: The Ultimate Resource for Great Bread at Home

by Elaine Boddy

The Only Sourdough Book You’ll Ever Need No more throwing out failed starter, getting bored with the same old loaf or being too intimidated to even start! This all- in-one handbook is packed with sourdough whisperer Elaine Boddy’s most current and comprehensive wisdom, not to mention more than 75 recipes to fuel your creativity. From new tips on how to maintain your starter on your schedule, to her most in-depth master recipes yet (with step by step photos for each one!) and expanded FAQ and troubleshooting sections, Elaine’s guidance will turn any home baker into a sourdough pro. Once you’ve got the basics of your starter, move on to Elaine’s renowned master recipes for basic loaves, buns, pizzas, focaccia and more. Then dive into tons of creative flavor variations on the master recipes like the cozy Semolina and Pumpkin Loaf or a Cheese and Jalapeño Loaf with a warm, tangy crumb. Elevate your everyday sandwiches and toasts with breads like the wholesome Einkorn Pumpernickel Square Loaf or a Honey-Enriched Jam-Filled Babka. Delight in smaller bakes like indulgent Whole-Grain and Chocolate Hot Cross Buns or the snackable Blue Cheese and Fig Baby Focaccias. Every step of the way, you’ll enjoy Elaine’s signature “no- fuss” approach to sourdough, which will equip you with the confidence and knowledge to have fun baking up your own delicious concoctions. This practical guide is guaranteed to keep your sourdough journey fun, exciting and successful for years to come.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Food

320 pages, Hardcover

Published December 17, 2024

About the author

Hi, I’m Elaine from Foodbod Sourdough, I am a sourdough baker, cookbook writer and teacher, but mostly a sourdough ‘simplifier’. The key focus of everything I do, and share, is to show how truly simply sourdough can be made. I remove the complication and unnecessary steps, and often the fear, that can come with making sourdough. I show bakers all over the world how they can easily make their own healthy, tasty bread, week in, week out, in their home kitchens, to suit their lifestyle and timings.

If I can help in anyway, get in touch.

Elaine

Reviews

[Ruth Griesemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

the very best Sourdough book ever!

I have been baking sourdough bread for about six months and Elaine’s books, her instructions are the best out there. I have learned that I do not have to buy expensive equipment, nor do I need to watch my starter and dough every second of the process. If you want to have successful bakes you must follow Elaine Boddy and her wonderful books and recipes.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I e read on the subject. Pages of troubleshooting suggestions.
I also follow the author on YouTube.
Can’t fail if you follow her instructions.

[Michael W. Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took The Stress Out of Making Sourdough Bread and Let the Fun Back In

After a couple years of making sourdough bread with off and on success and failures and being a type A personality, I began to over analyze. I got so confused that some of the steps became stressful to me. It was not fun anymore. Then I started watching Elaine on YouTube and my entire process became more simplified and fun again. I have learned so much from watching her and reading her books. I am having a blast trying different recipes and the results have been consistent, delicious and repeatable. What a great gift she is to the sourdough community . M Bell

[Elsabe Retief · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been following Elaine and using her method for all of the 2 years I have been baking sourdough.
No discard, feed it when you want to bake, brilliant videos on her website and clear easy instructions.
I had high expectations and anticipation while waiting for the book to arrive on my doorstep.
I adore the format of the book. The size is small and in itself, the book weighs so little. Small details that makes my days happier.
This book definitely lives up to its name. It gives the basics and then clearly and calmly explores so many alternatives, additions and add ins that it blows your mind.
The sequences of photos makes copying the method a cinch. Since the book arrived, I have made wholewheat buns, pizza, focaccia and my hot cross buns are busy rising! And that after I have only been baking one recipe in different shapes. In every case, I stand amazed that my humble starter produced that!!
I am so excited to experience the enriched basic recipe that is used for the hot cross buns.
Thanks Elaine for a beautiful experience.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

No-faff (bristish for no-fuss) Sourdough. I'm several years late to the party, and only an enthusiast of making loaves in spurts when I have mental capacity. but these recipes help with that. there's still plenty to learn, I'm only 5 loaves in or so.
I like her pictures, lengthy explanations, and no pressure approach.

[Clwseattle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read and re-read The Sourdough Bible several times. At first I thought it was an expanded version of The Sourdough Bible but the more I reviewed it I came to appreciate that Elaine expanded our knowledge of sourdough with tips, hints and more wonderful recipes.

I tried for years, in two very different climates, to create a starter, but I wasn't successful until I came across Elaine's tutorial video in 2024. I bought The Sourdough Whisperer and have been making sourdough ever since.

She writes with the same charm as her video's, making it easy to succeed. She doesn't worry about bakers percentages nor does she create or waste 'discard' and now, neither do I. She offers alternatives with her great knowledge, suggestions and drool worthy photo's.

If you're just starting to explore the world of sourdough, The Sourdough Bible is the book with which to do it. If you're experienced with sourdough, this is the book to give you more recipes and expand your options. If you love sourdough, get all of her books! You'll be glad you did.

5 Stars for The Sourdough Bible. Enjoy your delicious sourdough journey.

[Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

idk where this book gets its 4.7 stars, maybe its the lack of reviews. the positive of this book is it is great for a beginner who knows nothing. but everytime she gives a specific way of doing something, there's no why or reasoning to support. nothing scientific about what works. it seems everything she wrote is because it works for her. the one useful part of this was her humidity adjustment table. so the one slightly scientific part...

[Angela Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this out from the library but I'm so impressed by the ease at which making a starter seems, that I may end up purchasing the book. Can't wait to get started...there are a couple recipes that look positively yummy...the cider , and the pumpkin loaves in particular.

[Bethany Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sourdough Bible - Total Game Changer! A+++

Don’t hesitate to buy this book. It’s an unbelievable wealth of information written in such an organized, simplified and easy to understand way! A+++

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely everything you need to know about sourdough recipes.

Can't wait to try them out!

Highly recommended

[Taylor]

I don't normally review cookbooks but this one has been so helpful

[Sharmon Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was struggling with my sourdough journey . This book has an extreme amount of helpful infomation

[Ericka Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough explanation complete with pictures of how to create good sourdough.

[Jim Huggler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started sourdough once. The starter failed, or so I thought. If I had had this book with the troubleshooting helps, I would not have had to start the starter over.

[Teri Argo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all you need for sourdough.

[lunarlibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very deep in a sourdough obsession right now.

[Christine Durant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to understand and helped me get started baking