Success with bread also depends on how it is being made and if it is machine made or handmade. The results can vary depending on the method used for preparing, making and baking bread. We have used different methods and found different results and then landed on the method that works best for us.

I love to bake and make bread and it is such fun and the end result is so satisfying and also delicious to eat. I invested in good cookbooks on making bread; including sourdough and also attended a workshop. Then it is all about trial and error and getting the technique right. Good luck!

Making sourdough bread is not easy and it is time consuming. I also have a few fails to begin with and then the below recipe worked. Good luck and keep persisting.
This is the easiest sourdough bread recipe I know
Ingredients
100g active sourdough starter
400g warm water
500g bread flour (or all-purpose)
10g salt
30g olive oil (plus extra for pan)
Toppings: rosemary, flaky salt, olives, cherry tomatoes, garlic

Step-by-Step

1️⃣ Mix
Mix starter + water first.
Add flour and salt. Mix until no dry flour remains.
Add olive oil and mix again.
(Dough will be sticky — that’s correct.)
2️⃣ Rest 30 minutes
3️⃣ Stretch & Fold (3 times)
Every 30 minutes, gently stretch one side up and fold over.
Rotate bowl and repeat 4 times.
Do this 3 rounds total.
4️⃣ Bulk Rise
Cover and let rise 4–6 hours at room temp (until puffy and bubbly).
5️⃣ Pan & Second Rise
Oil a baking pan generously.
Pour dough into pan.
Rest 1–2 hours until airy.
6️⃣ Dimple & Top
Oil fingers and press dimples all over.
Add toppings + drizzle olive oil.
7️⃣ Bake
425°F (220°C)
25–30 minutes until golden.

Cool 20 minutes before cutting.
Most common issues:
🔹 Starter not strong enough
→ Make sure it doubles in 4–6 hrs after feeding.
🔹 Kitchen too cold

I am yet to make my own bread. I have always wanted to buy a bread maker for easy bread making. I have however made focaccia and that worked out ok. Have you looked at Recipe Tin Eats by chef Nagi. I have a lot of trust in her recipes. She has video tutorials too which really helps. Good luck. I hope you find a successful recipe that works for you.

Hope you can find one. I’ve found sourdough to be so hard to make that I eventually gave in and gave up. I now make cob style loaves in my Dutch oven. It’s far more forgiving and gives me something that’s actually edible. It’s such a heartbreak having a huge loaf that’s better off as a doorstop than a dish.

Good luck, I am still trying to find a recipe that works. Dough dough is not easy to make, some many processes. I have started following a few people on TikTok who are experts and make all sorts of varieties. These give me inspiration and ideas. Are you following anyone, might be worth looking into.