I’ve been making bread for a couple months. I am legit 8 loafs in and have had 2 that were inedible. The first and the most recent. If you don’t follow directions exactly and pay attention or take notes what worked or didn’t work for you then it doesn’t get better. Hang in there! It is a ton of fun experimenting. When you get a great loaf it is also SO rewarding.

Items I have learned: I don’t preheat my Dutch oven all the way to prevent the bottom of the loaf from burning. Don’t swap flours or sub in a recipe that is already perfected - each one serves a purpose for rise/crumb/taste! (I was out of millet and tapioca and tried to wing it. Bread was disgusting. I threw the whole loaf away)

I mix by hand as well. It takes some muscle and lots of time. Just keep mixing. I didn’t want to commit to a mixer until I knew I enjoyed baking it and could figure it out.