A Full Day of Homemade Bread: From Starter to Sliders

Some days in the kitchen are just magical, and today was one of those days for me. With no bread left in the house (I even ate the last English muffin for breakfast!), I decided it was the perfect day to bake a ton of bread—and use up all the sourdough discard I had in the fridge.

I Used Up ALL My Discard… and Made 3 Amazing Breads pin

What I Made Today

I went all out, making a variety of breads to cover everything from sandwiches to lunch sides:

Hamburger Buns: I doubled the recipe and weighed the dough to make consistent, pillowy buns. I even made a few smaller ones for the perfect bread-to-patty ratio.
Pullman Loaf: A soft, buttery loaf using discard and a bit of yeast. The perfect sandwich bread, light and airy, with just the right crumb.
Cheesy Bread Sticks: A tiny batch with garlic, herbs, and melted cheese. These came out soft, flavorful, and perfect for lunch or snacking.

Tips & Discoveries

Baking this much bread in one day taught me a few things:

Discard recipes are lifesavers—you can use up extra starter without overfeeding and still make incredible bread.
Sticky dough = soft, fluffy bread. I resisted the urge to over-flour, and it paid off with perfect texture.
Smaller rolls are perfect for burgers and sandwiches—more control over portion sizes.
Egg wash makes everything shine. It also helps any seasonings stick better to the surface.
Baking times vary depending on size. Smaller buns cook faster, so keep an eye on them.

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Fun Moments in the Kitchen

Trying instant yeast for the first time was a little adventurous, but it worked beautifully. I also loved juggling multiple batches, sprinkling herbs, brushing egg wash, and keeping everything from drying out. Watching the dough rise and transform into golden, soft bread was incredibly satisfying.

Once everything cooled, I even prepped the bread for the freezer. Having homemade bread ready to go will save so much time in the days ahead—and it’s perfect for breakfast sandwiches, grilled cheese, and more.

What’s Next

I’m already planning the next batch: English muffins, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and pizza rounds. Using my electric slicer will make it super easy to get perfectly even slices for all meals.

After doing a pantry challenge last year, I’m shifting my approach for 2026. Instead of just using up leftover ingredients, I want to focus on fun, creative recipes—delicious bread and more, made entirely from scratch.

Baking all of this today reminded me why I love making bread at home: the smell, the texture, and the joy of turning simple ingredients into something everyone loves. If you’re out of bread—or just feel like spending a day in the kitchen—I highly recommend it. Your future self will thank you!