With over 59% of UK households reporting rising costs in February 2026 due to the ongoing Cost of Living crisis, many are seeking ways to cut expenditure. One couple has found a solution by ditching shop-bought bread and making their own using a no-knead sourdough method with a bread maker.
Alice Sjoberg, a Social News Reporter at Reach Plc, shares how she and her boyfriend have saved money by baking bread at home. They use a bread maker, a gift from his family, which simplifies the process. The machine requires only adding ingredients and selecting a programme, producing a fresh loaf without active kneading.
For sourdough, the method involves pouring two cups of warm water and a quarter cup of melted butter into the bread maker bowl. After adding all ingredients, select the dough setting. Once mixed and rising begins, transfer the dough to an oven preheated to around 30°C to speed up proving. After the dough doubles in size, score the surface and return it to the bread maker to bake for 50-55 minutes.
The key is allowing the loaf to cool completely before slicing to avoid a rubbery texture. This method has allowed the couple to enjoy fresh bread without the time commitment of traditional kneading, offering a practical money-saving strategy during the crisis.
