Late Christmas at Gramas!

A Late Christmas, Sourdough Success, and Lessons in Patience

Today, I had a revelation about sourdough that I simply had to share. It all started with a late Christmas celebration at my grandma’s house. I decided to bring a loaf of sourdough as my contribution to the table—a warm, crusty loaf seemed perfect for the cozy holiday vibes. But like most things in life, this bread didn’t come together without its challenges.

The Sourdough Struggle

The journey started a couple of days ago when I mixed up my dough with high hopes and visions of the perfect rise. But when I checked it the next morning, it had barely budged. My sourdough starter, which I’d been nurturing like a little doughy pet, had let me down—or so I thought.

Instead of panicking or tossing it out, I decided to give the dough another chance. I pulled it out of the fridge and let it rest on the counter. I didn’t rush it. I didn’t poke it (too much). I just let it be. And finally—finally—it rewarded me with a beautiful rise.

The Bake

Fast forward to this afternoon, and the dough had transformed into the stuff of sourdough dreams. I baked it in my grandma’s oven, and the kitchen filled with that magical aroma that only fresh bread can bring. When the loaf came out, it had the perfect golden crust, a satisfying crackle as it cooled, and a tender, airy crumb.

A Lesson in Patience

Making this sourdough taught me something deeper than just bread techniques—it reminded me to be patient. Sometimes, things take longer than we want, but that doesn’t mean they’ve failed. With a little time, care, and trust in the process, amazing things can happen.

Sharing that bread with my family felt like the perfect ending to the holiday season. We tore into it, slathered it with my mom's amazing death butter and savored every bite. And honestly? I think it tasted better because of the journey it took to get there.

Final Thoughts

Sourdough has this funny way of teaching us about life—how things rise, how we adapt, and how patience pays off. If you’re struggling with your own baking adventures (or anything else, really), don’t give up too soon. Sometimes, all you need is a little time and trust in the process.

Have you ever had a sourdough success—or failure—that turned into a lesson? Let me know in the comments! And if you’re curious about how I maintain my starter or want tips on making your own loaf, stay tuned—I’ll be sharing more soon.

Happy baking, April