Page Updated on 6/4/2026
Welcome to the Doughby Family!
Meet Doughby: your living sourdough starter, specially crafted for baking artisan bread right at home. He’s the heart of your kitchen, turning simple flour and water into something extraordinary.
Doughby may be sleeping, but don’t worry—he’ll be bubbly and baking-ready in just a few days!
Dehydrated Sourdough Starter : Doughby
Cottage Food Registration #: CF-116553 Food Preparer: Mary Spry Date Packaged : 6/4/2026
CF Registration Date: 10/30/2025 Food Handler EXP: 9/12/2026
Ingredients: King Arthur Bread Flower 12G, Sea Salt 2G, Filtered Water 6G
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This product was produced in a home kitchen that may process common food allergens and pet allergens and is not subject to public health inspection.
Wake Up Doughby
Day 1
Pour the entire packet of dehydrated starter into a clean glass jar. Add lukewarm water and stir until fully dissolved.
10g Starter + 30g Warm Water + 30g Flour
Day 2
Let Doughby rest. You might see tiny bubbles or a slight thickening. If it looks dry, add a teaspoon of water.
No feeding today—just a quick stir.
Day 3
Time for the first real meal. Discard half of the mixture and add fresh flour and water. Mix well until no dry lumps remain.
Discard half + 30g Water + 30g Flour
Day 4
Bubbles should be appearing! Doughby is starting to wake up. Repeat the feeding process at the same time today.
Discard half + 30g Water + 30g Flour
Day 5
Doughby should be smelling sweet and slightly tangy. He might even start rising a little bit after his meal.
Discard all but 30g + 60g Water + 60g Flour
Day 6
Doughby is becoming more active. He should double in size within 4-6 hours. If he does, he’s ready for artisan bread!
Feed as normal. Watch for doubling!
When Doughby Is Ready
Doughby is ready to bake when he doubles in size within 4-6 hours of feeding, looks bubbly throughout, and has a pleasant, yeasty aroma. If he's still a bit sluggish, keep feeding him daily for a few more days!
Countertop Care
- Feed daily if baking often.
- Keep at room temperature.
- Discard and feed once every 24 hours.
- Watch for bubbles and a pleasant tang.
Baking Day Feed
Feed your starter 4-8 hours before mixing your dough for maximum strength and lift.
Refrigerator Care
- Feed once per week.
- Perfect for weekend bakers.
- Store in a sealed jar.
- Bring to room temperature before feeding.
Wake Up Call
Remove from fridge and feed at least twice before baking to ensure Doughby is fully bubbly.
The Beginner Loaf
Ingredients
- 500g Bread Flour
- 350g Warm Water
- 100g Active Starter (Doughby)
- 10g Salt
Evening (8:00 PM)
Feed Doughby to ensure he's bubbly for the morning mix.
Overnight Rise
Let your starter grow in a warm spot while you sleep.
Morning (8:00 AM)
Mix, shape, and get ready for the bake!
Artisan Process
After feeding the night before, mix your ingredients until a shaggy dough forms. Let it rest for 30 minutes, then perform 4 sets of stretch and folds every half hour. Allow the dough to bulk ferment until doubled, shape gently into a round, and cold-proof in the fridge for 12+ hours before baking in a preheated Dutch oven at 450°F.
Is Doughby Okay?
Why is there liquid on top?
Don’t panic! That’s just "hooch," a natural byproduct of fermentation. It usually means Doughby is hungry. You can pour it off or stir it back in before your next feeding.
Why isn’t Doughby rising?
Doughby might just be a bit chilly or sleepy. Ensure you’re using warm (not hot!) water and keep him in a cozy spot. Check that your flour is fresh and unbleached for the best activity.
Why does Doughby smell sour?
That’s actually a great sign! Sourdough gets its name from that characteristic tang. As long as it doesn’t smell putrid and there’s no fuzzy mold, Doughby is just doing his job.
Can I skip feedings?
Life happens! If you can’t feed Doughby daily, simply pop him in the refrigerator. He can safely hibernate there for up to a week between feedings without any trouble.
Doughby's Frequently Asked Questions
What type of flour should I use to feed Doughby?
Doughby loves Unbleached All-Purpose flour or Bread flour. For an extra boost, you can substitute 25% of the feed with Whole Wheat or Rye flour to provide more nutrients for the wild yeast.
What is the ideal jar size for my starter?
A 16oz to 32oz wide-mouth glass jar is perfect. It gives Doughby plenty of room to double or triple in size after feeding without overflowing, and the wide mouth makes stirring and cleaning much easier.
What if I miss a feeding or forget him on the counter?
Don’t panic! Sourdough is incredibly resilient. If left out, he might just smell very sour or have liquid on top. Simply discard down to 25g and feed him again. He should be back to his bubbly self in 1-2 feedings.
Do I have to use filtered water?
Filtered water is best. Chlorine in tap water can sometimes inhibit the growth of the wild yeast and beneficial bacteria. If you must use tap, let it sit out uncovered for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate.
Join the Doughby Family
Invite visitors to follow Spry Side Sourdough Co. on Facebook, share photos of their bread, and tag us so we can celebrate your artisan crust together! We love seeing Doughby grow in your kitchen.
Spry Side Sourdough Co.
From our kitchen to yours, happy baking with Doughby.
Questions?
Doughby is a journey, and we're here to walk it with you. If you hit a snag or just want to share your success, send us a message!