9 bread starter recipes

Barb's special sweet bread dough Part I. A laminated yeasted dough folded with butter in three turns, the master base for danishes, kringles, and filled pastries. Family recipe from 1850s tradition.

Barb's Special Sweet Breads Part 3 (Spandauer) recipe

Barb's Special Sweet Breads Part 2 (Weinerbrod) recipe

Spiral sweet bread rolls filled with almond butter and plump currants, topped with vanilla cream icing and toasted almonds. These elegant French-style snails are a stunning addition to any brunch spread.

A no-fuss bread machine sourdough that actually delivers tangy, crusty results. Just dump sourdough starter, bread flour, yeast, and a few pantry staples into the machine and let it work. Use the quick cycle for the best rise.

Mushroom focaccia tops plain focaccia bread with sauteed portobello slices, salty anchovy strips, fresh rosemary, and melted mozzarella. A 20-minute upgrade from store-bought bread to bistro-worthy starter.

Cornbread sausage stuffing with three breads, tart apple chunks, pecans, and breakfast sausage seasoned with sage and thyme. Stuff the bird or bake as a casserole side.

Crispy Chinese-American shrimp toast: golden-fried bread triangles topped with seasoned shrimp paste, fresh ginger, water chestnuts, and toasted sesame seeds. A classic dim sum starter.

Sourdough bread made from starter batter mixed with flour, shortening, and baking soda. A quick-rise loaf brushed with milk for a golden crust, ready in under an hour.