🥪 Feeding Mr. Squeeze: The PB&J Kid Grows Up (Sort Of)

When I first started making sourdough, I was confused, exhausted, and honestly — grieving.
Baking became a form of healing for me, especially after the loss of my mom (you can read more about that here). Each loaf felt like therapy. Messy, slow, deeply personal.

Now that I’m finding my rhythm — finally getting my sourdough wings — I’ve started exploring new recipes, gaining confidence, and enjoying the process again.

One of my favorite food mentors, Chef Julia (from chef-julia.com), has been such a gift this season. She’s my sourdough queen — honest, inspiring, and incredibly generous. She’ll tell me when my loaves are flat or under-proofed (tough love 😅), but when I send her a photo of something I feel good about, she always knows exactly what to say.

This soft whole wheat sourdough? It’s one of her recipes.

It took me six tries — six! — to get it right, but now it’s a staple.
And my husband, aka Mr. Squeeze? He’s obsessed.

This is the soft, golden loaf I bake on repeat — the kind that turns a simple PB&J into a moment. Nutty, tender, and naturally leavened, it’s my go-to whole wheat sourdough for sandwiches, toasting, and sharing.

Mr. Squeeze calls it the “sandwich of his life.” I just call it perfect. 🥜🍓💛

Whether you’re a seasoned sourdough baker or just getting started, this bread is ready to rise (and rise again) in your kitchen. Bonus? It freezes like a dream — and practically begs for butter, jam… or a whole lot of peanut butter.

A little backstory on why peanut butter?

Well… meet my 🧸 Feeding Mr. Squeeze

During lockdown, in a random kitchen moment, I handed my husband a sandwich and called him “Mr. Squeeze” — and it just stuck. He’s my big-hearted, PB&J–loving teddy bear, and now it’s the name I use anytime I’m making something, especially for him.

Whether it’s soup, toast, or a next-level grilled cheese, you’ll find all his favorites filed under:
Feeding Mr. Squeeze 🥪💛

Because honestly? Comfort food just hits differently when it’s made for someone you love.

Mr. Squeeze has always called himself the Peanut Butter and Jelly Kid — proudly, unapologetically, and with the full confidence of a grown man who still thinks PB&J is peak cuisine.

While I’m over here photographing olive oil swirls and chasing sourdough bubbles, he’s dreaming about the perfect strawberry jelly–to–peanut butter ratio.

And honestly? I love him for it.

So one cozy afternoon, I surprised him with his favorite sandwich — but gave it the Afterglow upgrade:
Homemade whole wheat sourdough. Lightly toasted. Creamy peanut butter. Strawberry jelly.
The kind of sandwich that’s still simple… but just elevated enough to feel special.

He took a bite, paused, and mumbled through a full mouth:

“That’s it. This is the sandwich of my life. This PB&J kid LOVES it!!!”

Naturally, I gave him a little eye roll, or possibly two, and headed straight to the kitchen to bake two more loaves.

He stood there, PB&J in hand, a little peanut butter smeared into the edge of his mustache, grinning like the big kid he’d always been.
And honestly? That’s my Mr. Squeeze.

If he’s pleased, I’m pleased.

And just to round out the moment, Lily — our fluffy little Maltese — got a tiny nibble of sourdough with the faintest swipe of peanut butter. And that was it. Game over.

She did about seven joyful zoomies, ricocheted off the couch like a white cotton ping-pong ball, and came back for more with eyes wide and tail wagging like a metronome.

If the sandwich didn’t already have our household seal of approval… it was now officially Mr. Squeeze– and Lily–certified. 🐾💛