Sourdough Baking Community

Sourdough Baking Community Ralph Quillin runs the nation’s largest " Custom Leather Shop” … in Paris Kentucky.

The Quillin craftsmen and women make OVER 17,000 halters a year in the Main Street Stores

Quillin Leather & Tack moved to Main Street in Paris, KY in 1982. We're a full service tack and leather goods shop and one of the largest "Custom Shops" in the nation and hand crafts over 17,000 halters a year. With only a few exceptions, every leather item they sell is made in their Main Street workroom by

craftsmen with a combined 80+ years of experience. Quillins' 12 employees produce a variety of products, from key tags, belts and dog collars to halters worn by leading stallions and multi-million dollar Keeneland sales toppers. Quillins supplies local and international customers and boasts a client list that reads like the whose who of the thoroughbred industry. Attention to detail, impeccable craftsmanship and personal service has made Quillin Leather & Tack synonymous with quality for OVER 30 years.

16 employees work in the two Main Street, Paris Kentucky Shop

Over 17,000 halters are hand made and shipped worldwide a year ... making Quillin Leather & Tack the nations LARGEST custom leather & halter shop. An equally impressive number of belts, dog collars, personnel leather goods are produced in their Main Street Shop. "it’s what you’d expect when the name on the outside is the same as the owners", Says Jim Fitzgerald local thoroughbred farm owner and long time customer.

Just curious how much starter everyone keeps. This is my “micro” starter I keep and bake with weekly.
07/12/2025

Just curious how much starter everyone keeps.
This is my “micro” starter I keep and bake with weekly.

Tried something new today 💜We visited our friend in Hungary several years ago. We easily became friends with his friends...
07/12/2025

Tried something new today 💜
We visited our friend in Hungary several years ago. We easily became friends with his friends at a garden party he hosted for us. Before we left, his neighbor insisted we each select a hand crocheted piece of lace that her Grandmother had created! Today I used one as a stencil on my sourdough with gorgeous results! Gifted to a friend 💜

Wish me luck! First time trying a teddy bear and open bake. 🤞🏻Edit: scroll down pic for result. Eyes are crooked but it’...
07/12/2025

Wish me luck! First time trying a teddy bear and open bake. 🤞🏻
Edit: scroll down pic for result. Eyes are crooked but it’s ok. 😊

I cannot ever go back to store bought bread. This is the most delicious, soft and amazing sandwich bread ever. And prett...
07/12/2025

I cannot ever go back to store bought bread. This is the most delicious, soft and amazing sandwich bread ever. And pretty easy also.

I made sourdough discard brownies last night!!!! That best brownies I have ever had!!!
07/12/2025

I made sourdough discard brownies last night!!!! That best brownies I have ever had!!!

I'm baking in glass now. I love being able to watch my loaves rise.
07/11/2025

I'm baking in glass now. I love being able to watch my loaves rise.

Just have to say, ChatGPT gives the best recipes! These donuts were to die for. Mine more than doubled overnight. Her...
07/11/2025

Just have to say, ChatGPT gives the best recipes! These donuts were to die for. Mine more than doubled overnight. 
Here’s an updated sourdough doughnut recipe to yield about 20 fluffy doughnuts!
Fluffy Sourdough Doughnuts Recipe
Yield: 20 doughnuts
Ingredients
For the Dough:
• 225g (1 cup) active sourdough starter (100% hydration)
• 360ml (1 1/2 cups) whole milk, lukewarm
• 90g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 75g (1/3 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 675g (5 cups) all-purpose flour (or your high-protein mix)
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional, for flavor)
For Frying:
• I use coconut oil
For Glazing:
• 360g (3 cups) powdered sugar
• 4-6 tbsp milk
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
1. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the sourdough starter, lukewarm milk, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Mix until smooth.
2. Add the flour and salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 8-10 minutes (or 5-6 minutes in a stand mixer with a dough hook) until smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
2. Bulk Fermentation:
1. Cover the dough with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature until doubled in size. (Mine actually a little more than doubled. )
3. Shape the Doughnuts:
1. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness.
2. Use a 3-inch round cutter to cut out doughnuts. Use a smaller cutter to make the holes. Place doughnuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Re-roll scraps as needed, but avoid overworking the dough.
4. Second Rise:
1. Cover the doughnuts loosely and let them rise for 1-2 hours at room temperature, or until puffed and light.
Mine only took 30 mins to get real puffy. Watch them, time will vary.
5. Fry the Doughnuts:
1. Heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to 180°C (350°F). I just used my cast iron frying pan.
2. Fry 2-3 doughnuts at a time for 1-2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain.
6. Glaze the Doughnuts:
1. In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make a smooth glaze.
2. Dip the warm doughnuts into the glaze and let them set on a wire rack.
Notes for Scaling Up
• Adjust Frying in Batches: With 20 doughnuts, you’ll need to fry in more batches. Keep the oil at a steady temperature to ensure even frying.
• Proofing Space: Ensure you have enough space to proof all the doughnuts without crowding.
Let me know how they turn out!

Sourdough CroissantsHad to try this new trend ! Crumb shot toCome but it’s such a light flaky texture so unlike traditio...
07/11/2025

Sourdough Croissants
Had to try this new trend ! Crumb shot to
Come but it’s such a light flaky texture so unlike traditional sourdough !
Recipe by amibakesbread

Kerrygold Irish Butter Sourdough loaf is my featured loaf this month and it’s been flying off the racks faster than I ca...
07/11/2025

Kerrygold Irish Butter Sourdough loaf is my featured loaf this month and it’s been flying off the racks faster than I can make them 😅 My customers are really loving it and it really does transform the entire crust of the loaf into a flaky croissant texture!
Recipe: just add a stick of ripped up or shredded Kerrygold butter to your regular sourdough recipe. I added a bit during each stretch n fold and i tested both room temp butter and frozen butter and found no difference in the way they baked up. I also smeared a bit of room temp butter inside the dough before finishing the final shaping

Update: for some reason I can’t reply to anyone. I’m sorry. Thank you for all the great feedback. My recipe is the simpl...
07/11/2025

Update:
for some reason I can’t reply to anyone. I’m sorry. Thank you for all the great feedback. My recipe is the simplest one!! Here you go…
50g starter
350 g water
Mix these until starter has dissolved
Then I add
500 g bread flour (King Arthur)
9-10 g fine sea salt
I kinda mix the flour and salt together then add to the starter/water mixture.
Mix to get a shaggy dough.
Sit for an hour, did my stretch and folds. I usually do a lot on the the first one. Sat for 1 hour, then did the next S&F, but only did about 4-6. Sat for another hour, did 4 S&F’s, and then did the last about an hour later.
I took the temperature when I made the dough shaggy. . This one was 76.5!! So it was to rise about 50% and take about 7 hours. When I did the last check, it was a little sticky, but I didn’t want to forget about it and totally overproof it, so I did some shaping. I didn’t slap it or anything, just nice smooth and easy shaping. Through it in the fridge until this morning. It was in there about 10 hours I think.
I baked it the easy way! In the Dutch Oven it went at 450 for 50 min. And that was it! I don’t remove the lid at anytime through the baking process. I usually wait at least 3 hours to cut, but I think this one as 2-2 1/2 hours. I couldn’t wait. I was hungry.
Have a great night everyone!
Happy baking! ❤️
I don’t care what anyone says about my crumb!!! I LOVE when my bread turns out like this….

I don't usually brag, but this swirl was too beautiful not to share!
07/11/2025

I don't usually brag, but this swirl was too beautiful not to share!

Made 1/2 loaves as gifts Wrapped in butcher paper with twine and fresh rosemary. If it was a full loave I would of used...
07/11/2025

Made 1/2 loaves as gifts
Wrapped in butcher paper with twine and fresh rosemary.
If it was a full loave I would of used bread bags.
These all weigh 500-600g pre baked (depending on inclusions)
Would love to see other gift wrapping ideas.

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Paris, KY

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+18599870215

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Owned and operated by Ralph & Donna Quillin & Son Vince Grupposo, Quillin Leather & Tack is a full service tack and leather goods shop and the largest "custom shops" in the nation. They take pride in their craftsmanship and it shows. Halters are made in small batches and their "made to order" philosophy sets them apart as a provider of quality leather goods and service world wide.

Quillin’s has been in business since 1982, based out of their Main St. shop in Paris, KY. On average they make over 17,000 halters a year with 20 employees working in the shop. They also produce many belts, dog collars and personal leather goods plus feature an onsite engraving shop and complete repair service. "We still hand craft halters the way they were made at the turn of the century." Ralph Quillin said "it's what you would expect when the owners name is out front"

They recently announced an expansion into a second 4000 sq foot location Downtown Paris on Main St. which will serve as a second showroom and primary halter production space for their growing Export Market. As long-time fans of their work, we can attest to the quality and craftsmanship! To find out more and keep up with their news head over to the links below:

Find out more about Quillin Leather here: www.Quillin.com https://www.instagram.com/quillinleatherandtack/