Benjie's notes on dough

a basket filled with loaves of bread
bread focaccia recipe sourdough spring spring onion
DoughRise 6 min read
Sourdough Focaccia with Spring Onion, Olive & Sea Salt
A pillowy, golden sourdough focaccia topped with spring onions, olives and flaky sea salt. Simple, satisfying, and perfect for spring baking.
A person kneading dough on top of a table
baking-science bulk fermentation intermediate sourdough spring baking tips
DoughRise 5 min read
How to Read Your Dough: The Signs That Tell You Bulk Fermentation Is Done
Not sure when bulk fermentation is finished? Learn the visual and tactile cues that actually tell you your sourdough dough is ready to shape.
A person kneading dough on top of a table
baking-science beginner bulk-fermentation intermediate sourdough starter tips troubleshooting
DoughRise 5 min read
Why Your Sourdough Isn't Rising (And How to Fix It)
Sourdough not rising? Here are the real reasons your loaf is staying flat and practical fixes to get your bake back on track this spring.
a wooden table topped with lots of doughnuts
baking-science bread bulk-fermentation fermentation sourdough spring-baking temperature
DoughRise 8 min read
Why Fermentation Temperature Is the Real Variable You Should Be Controlling
Learn how temperature shapes fermentation speed, flavour, and oven spring in sourdough — and how to use it to bake better bread every time.
baked pizza
fermented dough homemade pizza nduja pizza recipe sourdough spring
DoughRise 7 min read
Nduja, Roasted Pepper & Honey Sourdough Pizza
A bold, spicy sourdough pizza with nduja, roasted peppers and a drizzle of honey. Perfect for spring weekends when you want something a bit special.
a pizza sitting on top of a table covered in toppings
burrata courgette pizza recipe sourdough sourdough pizza spring spring baking
DoughRise 6 min read
Courgette, Burrata & Basil Oil Sourdough Pizza
A spring sourdough pizza topped with ribboned courgette, creamy burrata and homemade basil oil. Long-fermented dough, big flavour, minimal fuss.
Rectangular pizzas with various toppings including cheese and olives.
flatbread peas pizza recipe ricotta sourdough spring
DoughRise 6 min read
Pea, Mint & Whipped Ricotta Sourdough Flatbread Pizza
A fresh spring sourdough flatbread pizza topped with whipped ricotta, peas and mint. Easy recipe with long ferment for deep flavour. Perfect for March baking.
brown bread on white textile
beginner-sourdough bread-making-tool-kit bread-tools doughrise home-baking sourdough spring
DoughRise 5 min read
The Spring Bake That Finally Got Me Organised
One baker's honest account of how the right tools changed his sourdough routine — and why spring is the perfect time to start getting serious about bread.
pizza on white ceramic plate
flatbread pizza recipe smoked salmon sourdough sourdough pizza spring
DoughRise 6 min read
Smoked Salmon, Crème Fraîche & Dill Sourdough Flatbread Pizza
A spring sourdough flatbread pizza topped with crème fraîche, smoked salmon and fresh dill. Light, tangy and perfect for the season.
A pizza sitting on top of a wooden table
asparagus flatbread pizza recipe ricotta sourdough spring
DoughRise 6 min read
Asparagus, Ricotta & Lemon Sourdough Flatbread Pizza
A spring sourdough flatbread pizza topped with fresh asparagus, creamy ricotta and lemon zest. Easy recipe with a crispy fermented base.
Avocado toast and coffee make a delicious breakfast.
baking-science bread fermentation gluten salt sourdough sourdough-tips
DoughRise 7 min read
Why Salt Does So Much More Than Just Season Your Sourdough
Salt is far more than a flavour boost in sourdough. Here's the science behind what it actually does to your dough, fermentation, and final loaf.
A person in a kitchen preparing food on a counter
baking-science bread fermentation gluten home-baking sourdough spring-baking
DoughRise 8 min read
Why Gluten Is the Backbone of Every Great Sourdough Loaf (And How to Actually Build It)
Gluten makes or breaks your sourdough. Here's the science behind how it forms, why it matters, and how to build a stronger network at home.
a close up of a piece of bread on a table
baking-science bread dough fermentation home-baking hydration sourdough spring-baking
DoughRise 8 min read
Why Hydration Changes Everything in Sourdough (The Science Behind Wet vs Stiff Dough)
Discover how hydration percentage affects your sourdough's crumb, crust, and fermentation — and how to find the right level for your bake.
A person in a kitchen preparing food on a counter
baking-science bread bulk-fermentation fermentation gluten sourdough spring-baking
DoughRise 8 min read
What Actually Happens to Your Dough During Bulk Fermentation (And Why It Matters)
Understand the science behind bulk fermentation in sourdough — what's happening inside your dough, why it matters, and how to bake better because of it.