The Story Behind My Signature Sourdough

My sourdough journey started with a sweet, simple gift — a jar of starter from a friend. It didn't look like much, but it held years of life, love, and potential… and it landed in the hands of someone who immediately panicked and Googled every single thing.

If there was a question, I searched it.

“Is this bubble normal?”

“Is my dough supposed to look like THAT?”

“Is my starter dead or just dramatic?”

“Why is my loaf flat?”

“Can sourdough smell like this??”

I overcomplicated everything. I stressed over everything. And honestly? My early loaves absolutely showed it. Flat, heavy, pale, unpredictable — but still somehow addicting enough to keep going.

Even through the chaos, sourdough felt grounding. I just hadn’t found my rhythm yet.

The Turning Point

Everything changed when I finally stopped treating sourdough like a science fair project. 

I stopped obsessing. I stopped Googling every tiny bubble. I stopped trying to force perfection. Instead, I simplified. I trusted my hands. I let myself enjoy the process.

And suddenly? It clicked. The dough felt easier. My instincts felt sharper. My loaves rose and browned beautifully.

For the first time, baking sourdough was fun. It was the moment everything shifted from stressful to intuitive. That’s when I truly fell in love with it.

Perfecting My Signature Loaf

This loaf didn’t come from one perfect bake — it came from dozens of imperfect ones.

Getting to Know the Starter

That little gifted jar became the heart of my kitchen. I learned its timing, personality, and how it behaves in Oklahoma’s dramatic humidity. It became my baking partner.

Dialing In the Texture

I wanted something rustic yet practical — crisp crust, soft center, open but sliceable crumb. After a lot of trial and error, I found the balance that now defines my signature loaf.

Falling in Love With the Rhythm

The stretch-and-folds.

The shaping.

The scoring.

The quiet moment before the loaf goes into the oven.

These steps became grounding rituals — the part of the process I look forward to most. Every flavor I bake now began with this loaf: jalapeño cheddar, garlic rosemary, cinnamon-brown-sugar swirl. This one loaf is the foundation.

 

Why Sourdough Feels Like Home

Sourdough teaches patience. It slows you down. It asks you to trust yourself (instead of Google).

For me, this loaf is part of my home’s rhythm. It’s how I unwind, create, and show love. Feeding people is my love language, and sourdough lets me share that in the warmest, most personal way.

The fact that this bread now ends up on your tables? That will never stop feeling special.

 

 

How to Store Your Loaf

Room Temperature (1–2 days):  Keep cut-side-down on a board or loosely wrapped in a clean towel.

Freezer (up to 3 months):  Slice, wrap tightly, freeze, and toast straight from frozen for a just-baked flavor.

Avoid:  The fridge — it dries out sourdough quickly.

Thank You for Being Part of My Story

This loaf is more than bread. It’s a gift from a friend. It’s a season of trial, error, and Google searches at midnight. It’s learning to simplify, relax, and trust myself.

It’s the loaf that built Jen’s Buns.

Thank you for bringing it into your homes. It truly means the world.

And if you enjoy a loaf, tag me on Instagram or TikTok with @jens.buns — I love seeing where they end up. 🤍

 

With love & warm bread,

Jennifer — Jen’s Buns