Description

James Beard Award Winner
IACP Award Winner
New York Times Bestseller

This comprehensive guide to sourdough baking is perfect for anyone looking to develop confidence and mastery in the craft. Written by Maurizio Leo, the creator of the popular blog *The Perfect Loaf* and the resident bread expert at Food52, this book is a must-have for beginners and experienced bakers alike. With clear instructions, detailed techniques, and foolproof recipes, Leo provides everything needed to successfully bake sourdough at home.

Praised by baking expert Peter Reinhart as “the ideal gift” for bread enthusiasts, this book carefully explains the fundamentals of sourdough while also offering the knowledge and inspiration to go beyond the basics. Readers will find an extensive collection of recipes, including:

Essential freeform loaves: Simple Sourdough, Rosemary & Olive Oil, Extra-Sour Sourdough, Cranberry & Walnut, Demi Baguettes

Pan loaves: Everyday Sandwich Bread, Naturally Leavened Brioche, German Whole Rye, Honey Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

Pizza and flatbread: Roman-Style Pan Pizza, Focaccia, Naan, Flour Tortillas, Pita

Buns, rolls, and more: Soft Dinner Rolls, Potato Buns, Ciabatta Rolls, English Muffins, Bagels

Sweets: Weekend Cinnamon Rolls, Italian Doughnuts, Summer Fruit Sourdough Crostata, Banana Bread, Cinnamon Babka

For beginners, the book offers hands-on guidance with troubleshooting sections and tips addressing common questions, such as how to store a sourdough starter long-term, understanding bakers’ percentages, and recognizing and fixing common bread-making mistakes. Experienced bakers will appreciate in-depth discussions on the science of baking, as well as advanced techniques for improving their skills by experimenting with hydration levels, ingredient ratios, freshly milled grains, and specialty flours.

Whether you are new to sourdough or looking to refine your expertise, *The Perfect Loaf* is an essential resource for mastering the art of bread baking.