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TLDR, here are our top picks for making it a snap to churn out perfect sourdough loaves week after week. Read the full details below:

1. King Arthur organic unbleached bread flour
2. A digital kitchen scale
3. Loose lid jar for starter growth
4. The cutest mixing bowls
5. Elastic bowl covers
6. Banneton bread proofing basket (for super polished swirled pattern)
7. The GOAT bread Dutch oven………and a more reasonably priced alternative
8. A bread lame

You NEVER have to tell me twice to peruse new kitchen gear. In fact – if ever I got lost in a shopping mall (what even is that?) – my husband knows exactly where to find me – at the Williams-Sonoma. There is just something about finding items to make the daunting task of preparing food MANY TIMES PER DAY (so many times, nobody warned me about how many times per day this would take place) much easier. So, naturally, when I forayed into the world of sourdough, I was happy to embark on the journey of getting all the supplies needed. Granted, you do not HAVE to have these tools to be successful – but they sure do make it a heck of a lot easier. Here are our favorites that help yield great loaves every time:

1. King Arthur organic unbleached bread flour: Reliable, delicious, and available at most grocery stores. You can definitely invest in some top notch local grains for a leveled-up sourdough, but for the day to day baking, we rely heavily on this flour.
2. A digital kitchen scale: Baking is a fickle friend. It is not always forgiving (in fact, it almost never is). I have used this kitchen scale for both sourdough baking and pretty much all baking that supplies measurements in grams. It makes measuring super easy and actually less messy, as you don’t need to pull out your cup measures.
3. Loose lid jar for starter growth: This makes managing a starter much less messy or concerning. The loose lid allows for air to be released as your starter grows to avoid any accidental jar explosions.
4. The cutest mixing bowls: we are OBSESSED with all things Mason Cash. There is a themed decorative bowl for everyone. These are lightweight ceramic with super cute designs that help your bowl not to slip. They are wide mouthed which makes it so easy to fold and mix with ease.
5. Elastic bowl covers: We use bowl covers for proofing ALL the time -but these are also so helpful to top bowlfuls of items you are storing for later (in lieu of Tupperware). Think bowls of fruit, salad, cowboy caviar – anything in a large vessel that needs a cover.
6. Banneton bread proofing basket (for super polished swirled pattern): I bought one of these YEARS before I ever used one. I imaged myself in a little cottage in the countryside baking bread and using these proofing baskets. You definitely make sure that your proofing basket is primed and ready to go so that your precious dough doesn’t stick, but once it is appropriately seasoned – it is a great tool. It yields a very professional polished swirled flour pattern on your loaf as seen in the photo above – which makes it look so professional!
7. The GOAT bread oven………and a more reasonably priced alternative: Hello, my name is Next Level Mom, and I am addicted to Le Creuset. I will not shy away from this. I maintain that this is one of the best brands of cookware out there – and they are absolutely GORGEOUS. When you invest in good cookware, you’ll never have to buy another one in your lifetime – and I can attest to this with this brand. This domed Dutch oven bakes up the most plump round loaf you have ever seen. but please PLEASE do not forget to wear your oven mitts when handling this – I can, unfortunately, attest to what it’s like to grab this heavy lid with bare hands after it’s been in a 500 degree oven (OUCH).
8. A bread lame: We opt for the traditional lame since we tend to score our loaves with a single or cross pattern. For more ornate patterns, there are smaller handhelds like this one that will allow you to get the pretty details you’re after.

I want to reiterate that you do not need to have any fancy equipment to bake sourdough bread at home. I will reiterate that if you want to treat yourself to some new kitchen swag – the items above have not failed us yet when it comes to our weekly baking routine (and can be used for many other things as well!). Please feel free to add your favorites below!

Happy Baking!!

-NLM