MacPike Family Starter recipe

MacPike Family Starter

Bennington, United States

Mixture

33%
33%
33%
Liquid Flour Other
MacPike Family Starter

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Since 1960

Our original Starter was brought to Maine from Alaska and given to my grandmother in the early 1960's. She was told it came from a starter that was created around 1896. She kept it active until her death in 1988 when my mother took it over. I've maintained my portion from this starter since 1991. I've lived in multiple places with it -Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York and now Vermont.

Characteristics

This starter has a very mild odor with a subtle amount of tang. The amounts of flour and water used when feeding were once random. Over the years, I found it prefers being a consistency similar to cake batter. More recently I have adopted a 50/50 water to flour ratio that yields this consistency. Weighing also helps in maintaining more consistent bakes.

Taste & flavour

MacPike Family Starter top shot
MacPike Family Starter jar shot
MacPike Family Starter front shot
MacPike Family Starter rising shot

Recipe

Starting ingredients

  • 4oz Starter
  • 4oz Flour
  • 4oz Water

Feeding ingredients

  • 6oz Flour
  • 6oz Water
1
Because I keep my starter stored in the fridge when not in use, I opt to feed it every 12 hours. With each feeding I increase the volume of flour and water until I have the total volume needed for the recipe(s) I'm making. This generally takes 2 to 3 days and yields a nice vigorous starter. As the starter becomes more vigorous, this frequency might increase to 8 hrs, especially in warmer months
6oz Flour 6oz Water

Working method

1
The reserved starter is removed from the fridge, brought to room temp, and fed with equal parts (by weight) of flour and water. I use Gold Medal brand unbleached flour and tap water that has been left out overnight.
4oz Starter 4oz Flour 4oz Water

Result

Sourdough Boules

These boules use versions/variations of King Arthur Flour Company's recipe.
MacPike Family Starter Sourdough Boules first overview
MacPike Family Starter Sourdough Boules second overview
MacPike Family Starter Sourdough Boules first slice
MacPike Family Starter Sourdough Boules second slice

MacPike Family Loaf Bread

This family recipe incorporates a gruel that allows you to vary the flavor. I typically make oatmeal but also squash.
MacPike Family Starter MacPike Family Loaf Bread first overview
MacPike Family Starter MacPike Family Loaf Bread second overview
MacPike Family Starter MacPike Family Loaf Bread first slice
MacPike Family Starter MacPike Family Loaf Bread second slice

English Muffins

An online recipe that I found and have made a few times now.
MacPike Family Starter English Muffins first overview
MacPike Family Starter English Muffins second overview
MacPike Family Starter English Muffins first slice
MacPike Family Starter English Muffins second slice

Pancakes and Waffles

Pancake batter can be used as waffles. Waffles pictured are Ione's recipe from QFS Blog.
MacPike Family Starter Pancakes and Waffles first overview
MacPike Family Starter Pancakes and Waffles second overview
MacPike Family Starter Pancakes and Waffles first slice
MacPike Family Starter Pancakes and Waffles second slice

Anita Sumer's Sourdough Donuts

These are amazing and worth the time. Very light and airy. Bonus that the dough can be used to make cinnamon rolls too!
MacPike Family Starter Anita Sumer's Sourdough Donuts first overview
MacPike Family Starter Anita Sumer's Sourdough Donuts second overview
MacPike Family Starter Anita Sumer's Sourdough Donuts first slice
MacPike Family Starter Anita Sumer's Sourdough Donuts second slice

Other Bakes

Ciabatta Bread, Danish Seed Bread, Anita Sumer's Croissants
MacPike Family Starter Other Bakes first overview
MacPike Family Starter Other Bakes second overview
MacPike Family Starter Other Bakes first slice
MacPike Family Starter Other Bakes second slice

Preserve your sourdough for the future

Create your own Explore sourdough library