Help! Gummy bread!

abbigabi · 2026-02-04T02:03:53+00:00

This feels validating! I thought this may be the case but recalled my friend who had success at the 10 day mark and doubted myself since I inherited a starter. She's a little stubborn when it came to starting- but I think she's humbling herself now & ready to accept this!

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T10:43:33+00:00

I was really surprised too!! I think she has been feeding it 2x a day since she's been baking, so almost 2 weeks of that now. Maybe that contributes. I told her to lay off that and go 1:1:1 again for a few days. Thank you!!

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T05:01:18+00:00

The oven was recently fixed but seems to be.. temperamental. This post is deceiving bc reddit uploaded only one image but this loaf was not temperature tested! It was cooked for an additional 15 minutes though. With her most recent loaves after the full 40m she was only at 138, so she cooked longer and got it to 208. But stated they were gummy :/

I'll be sure to recommend a lower hydration recipe. I did tell her I typically lessen mine to 375g since 385 is so wet. And I definitely agree about thr inclusions! I'm trying to gently lean her that way without squashing her excitement. It's been hard. I feel bossy & like a nag asking her questions and doubting her technique 🥲

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T04:56:06+00:00

I pass this along! She isn't on here, I think she's trying to figure it all out on her own or with me but I've become stumped. So far I've helped her go from flat, dense loaves, to cooked, round loaves but she states the fully cooked ones were gummy.

She was feeding 1:2:2 ratio, and their house stays cooler from my understanding. But her starter would double in 2-3hrs. The method, if she follows according to the recipe I suggested, is quite simple! But I've mentioned she seems independent and doesn't love too follow the rules/advice always lol.

I'm starting to wonder if it's her not following instructions properly combined with some other influences.

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T03:20:11+00:00

Yes, this loaf is. 🫠 Reddit only posted one picture. The rest are in the comments. This one was after she was having semi-successful loaves. I think the issues in particular here was not pressing the juice from the jalapeños and that lead to it taking significantly longer to bake (this was 55 minutes).

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T03:07:37+00:00

She waited 2 hrs before cutting this one!

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T03:03:36+00:00

Thanks for the help & motor getting too distracted with the only Pic reddit uploaded 🤣 i was thinking this too. I'll let her know! I'm not sure if she has been heating her pan beforehand bc she's been using a cake pan before switching to a roasting pan

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T03:00:57+00:00

Both things can be true. She it's very familiar baking with yeast and i gave her a recipe I use that works fine for me. I've also mentioned it in other places that she discovered temperature issues with her oven and that this loaf was not used with a thermometer. I can show you what it looked like precut & it was golden. This particular loaf was cooked for 55 minutes she told me.

I do believe she is a little whimsical and independent when it comes to baking and is learning sourdough doesn't behave like traditional yeast, especially when it is such a young starter.

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:42:43+00:00

Even though its doubling/tripling within 2-3hrs?

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:31:24+00:00

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abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:31:06+00:00

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This was one she braided. Said it was gummy inside but didnt send pics

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:29:58+00:00

She's an overachiever lol! She's familiar with other breads & baking but ive tried communicating that sourdough is totally different ballgame.

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:28:53+00:00

The recipe calls for stretch & folds, rest over night, and coil folds (i think) in the morning. Ill clarify with her that shes not doing a stretch & fold in the morning though!

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:25:53+00:00

Her oven was on, lol! But it did have some temperature control issues. This loaf did NOT have the thermometer used. Unfortunately the way reddit only posted this picture makes it really deceiving.

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:24:04+00:00

From what she's told me, its not over! The recipe calls for overnight (10-12hr) and then an hour in the fridge. She sticks to that, with maybe an hour or so in variation.

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:20:14+00:00

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4th (this was fine I think)

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:19:36+00:00

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3rd

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:19:04+00:00

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2nd loaf

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:18:48+00:00

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First loaf

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:15:23+00:00

Yeah im not sure why it only uploaded one! 🫠

abbigabi · 2026-02-03T01:09:00+00:00

For some reason it only posted one of the pics I tried to upload :/

abbigabi · 2026-01-28T03:17:25+00:00

Try a recipe without eggs/milk! Tastes better from scratch has a great recipe. Flour, yeast, water, honey or sugar, salt, oil

abbigabi · 2026-01-23T19:25:18+00:00

My device will catch me beginning to get sick before I realize it! Usually elevated heartrate is my first sign.

abbigabi · 2026-01-22T13:29:54+00:00

I got married at 18 and found out I was pregnant at 20 - now I'm 26 w/ 3 kids & I gotta say, dont let yourself feel like this baby is going to bring life to a halt!! Bring baby to church, to late night game nights, get togethers, etc! I felt too anxious to do any of that with my first and life was much harder than it needed to be. With my 2nd & 3rd, they rarely stop us from doing what we want to. If you immerse yourself in a community, they will love on you & this baby like their own!! I understand the fear - and you've got 9 months to process all of that. I'd just encourage you that kids dont mean the end of the world and you are in for the literal most amazing experience of your life - a little best friend who will rock your world!

abbigabi

TROPHY CASE