Sourdough Fails of 2025

Another year of baking and another year of mishaps. Here are some stand outs from 2025!

This is an annual post I like to do showcasing things that did not work out! Iike to do this for two reasons:

1. So you can see that even sourdough “pros” have some serious flops - it’s part of life and, in my opinion, best laughed at. And,
2. so you can see how much I test recipes before I post them. If something doesn’t work, it doesn’t get published. I take it very seriously that you trust me with your time, resources, and food that you will eat. That’s a big job and I aim to give you recipes that will work!

*Obligatory warning that this post contains some very unappetizing photos. Proceed at your own risk!*

Up first, baguettes

I have dubbed baguettes my culinary Mount Everest. As someone who lived in France, I’ve earned the right to be a total baguette snob, and I will not rest until they’re just right! 

Here is a photo of some baguettes from the year that were… not right. 

I’m feeling good about 2026 being the year I master sourdough baguettes in a home oven!

1-hour dinner rolls

I was really, really committed to making 1-hour dinner rolls and here’s how that was working out. 

Yuck. I gave up on that dream and made them in 2 hours. They’re way better. (And better looking). 

Bagels

I don’t even want to talk about these.

Thankfully, better bagels were right around the corner. My favorite recipe is here!

Gingerbread cookies

Recipe success, but cookie dough so stiff it broke my (very festive) spatula.

You should definitely make these gingerbread cookies, but only subject your strongest spatulas to the dough!

Granola bars

I attempted a granola bar and obviously they came out way too try. There are probably still pieces of them on my floor. (Because you know we still ate them). 

Honey-sesame chips

Do you know those honey sesame chips? I’m obsessed with them. If they’re in my house I snack on them nonstop and put them on everything I can think of. So of course I had to try to make my own. And here’s how that went. 

Fair warning that this picture is so terrible that if you look at it long enough, it actually becomes funny. 

So, so sad. 

I actually immediately whipped up a modified dough to make more with, then it sat in my fridge for a week and I threw it out (I NEVER do this!) because I couldn’t go through that experience again. 

Maybe this was God’s way of not allowing me to have unlimited access to honey sesame chips. Which, honestly is probably for the best.

Thanks for being here in 2025! I’m looking forward to another year of good bread (and most definitely some hiccups along the way). Happy 2026!