Flour diary

Recipes and mistakes from a small kitchen.

The long rise

January 2026

Leaving dough in the fridge overnight makes it easier to shape and gives a deeper flavour. Time does the work.

Slicing

November 2026

Wait at least an hour before cutting. The crumb keeps cooking inside, and a warm knife ruins it.

Keeping it fresh

August 2026

Bread keeps best cut side down on a wooden board. The freezer is fine too; plastic in the fridge is not.

Steam without tools

July 2026

A tray of hot water on the bottom shelf for the first fifteen minutes is enough for a glossy crust.

Start with water

May 2026

Most recipes fail because of water temperature, not flour. A cheap thermometer fixes more loaves than any new technique.