Don’t toss your sourdough discard in the garbage! There are so many different desserts you can make using sourdough discard. If you have a sweet tooth, there are so many Sourdough Discard Dessert Recipe possibilities
Reduce food waste and use your unfed sourdough starter. Sourdough discard adds moisture, keeping baked goods fresher for longer, and a slightly tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of desserts.
How to Use Your Sourdough Starter
Sourdough bread is just the beginning when it comes to the potential of your discarded sourdough starter! From adding a lovely tang to keeping bakes moist for days longer, sourdough starter discard adds so many benefits to dessert recipes.
Storing Your Sourdough Discard
You’ll find that you end up with a lot of extra sourdough starter after your daily feeding. I like to store my excess starter in a glass jar or food-safe plastic container in the refrigerator. This sourdough discard acidifies, prevents mold growth, and can be stored without being fed for months.
Overflowing sourdough discard jar? Check out my collection of Sourdough Recipes That Aren't Bread.
TIP: If you find any fuzzy growth on the surface of your sourdough discard, throw it away immediately. You’ll also want to watch out for any discoloration, traces of beige and pink are a sign that a harmful pathogen has taken over your discard.
Sourdough Discard Dessert Recipes
Dessert recipes are a delicious way to use your sourdough discard. With a little flour, sugar, milk, baking soda, baking powder and butter you can make so many sweet sourdough recipes. From unique flavors to comforting traditional recipes, you’ll love these delicious dessert recipes.
These recipes are perfect for a special occasion but are easy and simple enough to make on a weekday.
Sourdough Brownies
Rich, and chewy with an irresistible shiny top, this Sourdough Brownie recipe is pretty darn close to perfect. Sourdough discard adds a delicious tang that makes this ultimate chocolate treat even more satisfying.
Sourdough Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
A true retro classic, this Sourdough Pineapple Upside Down Cake is moist and soft with a brown sugar caramel pineapple and cherry topping that soaks into a buttery yellow cake.
Sourdough Oatmeal Cookies
These Sourdough Oatmeal Cookies are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside with a great flavor thanks to browned butter and sourdough discard.
Sourdough Discard Chocolate Cake
If you want an intensely rich, fudgy and tender Chocolate Cake made completely from scratch using sourdough discard, then look no further. This Sourdough Chocolate Cake is so decadent, you won’t believe how simple it is to make.
Sourdough Discard Banana Snack Cake
With a lighter crumb, intense banana and a rich peanut butter flavor, this Sourdough Discard Banana Snack Cake will be your new favorite way to use up overripe bananas and excess discard.
Sourdough Chocolate Cookies
Soft and fudgy, these Sourdough Chocolate Cookies are made with three types of chocolate. Sourdough discard adds a delicious tang that perfectly balances the rich flavor of chocolate.
Lemon Lavender Sourdough Bundt Cake
Light and tender cake loaded with fresh, tangy lemon and just a hint of aromatic lavender, this Lavender Lemon Sourdough Bundt Cake will make any day feel like a special occasion.
Chewy Sourdough Molasses Cookies
Molasses and sourdough are a match made in cookie heaven! You’ll love the taste and texture of these Sourdough Molasses Cookies. Perfectly spiced, seriously chewy with a crunchy, crackly top, these cookies develop an even more delicious texture days after being baked
Sourdough Blueberry Turnovers
Flaky and buttery with an easy homemade filling, these Sourdough Blueberry Turnovers make for the most delicious treat. Homemade sourdough puff pastry makes these hand pies extra special. Serve them for breakfast or with a side of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Sourdough Biscotti
Don’t throw away your excess starter, use it to make these Sourdough Biscotti. Crisp and wonderfully crunchy, these biscotti are delicious and taste delightful with a cup of coffee. These twice-baked cookies are easy to make and are the best excuse to eat dessert for breakfast!
See all dessert recipes →
Sourdough Dessert FAQs
Sourdough discard is any portion of your starter that is removed during the feeding process or any part that is not used to make bread. You can use it in other bakes and dishes or store it in the refrigerator for future use.
Sourdough discard recipes are dishes and bakes that do not use sourdough for its leavening abilities. These can be breads that use commercial yeast for leavening and sourdough discard for flavor and fermentation. These recipes may also use chemical leaveners like baking powder or baking soda to make baked goods rise.
Sourdough discard adds a delicious tang that balances the sugary sweetness of desserts. The intensity of this flavor depends on the unique acidity of your sourdough discard. If you’ve been keeping your discard in the fridge for a long time, then it will impart a more pronounced flavor in your bakes.
Did you make this recipe? Do you have questions? Let me know below!