This list of sourdough discard desserts is the ultimate guide to satisfying the sweet tooth and using up all that discard. From sourdough chocolate chip cookies to your new favorite cherry cobbler, this list is full of new and traditional recipes, all with a sourdough twist.
I often urge you not to throw out your sourdough discard. Part of my motivation is that I try to avoid food waste, but I also want to help you see how useful your sourdough discard can be.
When you’re busy, tossing the discard, feeding the starter, and moving on may seem simplest.
But I want to push the point that it’s just as simple to toss that discard into a spare jar in your fridge, which will then keep it on hand for useful recipes.
If you’re already on board with this idea, you may just be looking for ways to use up all that discard.
And what is a more delicious way to use up sourdough discard than with sourdough desserts?
Whether planning a special occasion or simply presenting a sweet treat to the family, these delicious dessert recipes are a wonderful way to utilize your sourdough starter discard.
Why I Love Sourdough Discard Desserts
Utilizes discard: These recipes are a great way to put your sourdough discard to use while feeding your sweet tooth.
Flavor complexity: Sourdough adds so much depth of flavor to any recipe, dessert included! That sourdough tang balances a sweet dessert in the best way.
Fermented grains: The fermentation process breaks down the gluten in flour, which makes the grains easier for your body to digest. This weakening of the gluten structure yields a more tender crumb in desserts! Recipes made with all discard and no added flour are considered long-fermented recipes, as the grains in the discard have all been sufficiently fermented.
Tips
- Sourdough discard becomes more sour the longer it sits. An older discard will add more sour flavor to your recipe, so keep that in mind.
- Discard recipes are great for using up discard, but this means you’ll need to be sure you have it on hand. If you bake with discard a lot, just check ahead of time to know you have the amount you need for a particular recipe. If you’re low on discard, you can easily substitute your active sourdough starter.
- For dessert recipes below that call for active, bubbly starters, just substitute with your discard. Make right away or ferment until the next day for more health benefits – that’s up to you!
- For best results, bring your discard to room temperature before adding to your recipes.
Storing Your Sourdough Discard
Sourdough discard shouldn’t be kept at room temperature or it will sour incredibly fast. Extra discard for baking should be kept in a non-porous container in the refrigerator. While discard is very low maintenance, it will require a feeding every 7-10 days. The cold temperature slows fermentation but doesn’t halt it completely, which is why discard continues to sour.
For more information, check out my post on how to store sourdough starter.
20+ Sourdough Discard Dessert Recipes
Sourdough Brownies
Cinnamon Maple Sourdough Apple Pie
Baked Sourdough Donuts
Sourdough Bread Pudding
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
Sourdough Cakes
Chocolate Cake
Vanilla Cake
Carrot Cake
Strawberry Shortcake
Sourdough Coffee Cake
Sourdough Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies
Oatmeal Cookies
Shortbread Cookies
Sourdough Cobblers
Peach Cobbler
Cherry Cobbler
Blueberry Cobbler
Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler
Sweet Breads
Cinnamon Bread
Blueberry Bread
FAQ
Sourdough starter is a fermenting combination of flour and water that captures wild yeast and beneficial bacteria from the environment. This mixture is both healthy and tasty in recipes, as it has a delightful sour flavor, and the fermentation process results in grains being essentially pre-digested and more easily used by the body. Sourdough discard is the portion of starter that is removed before feeding the starter. This is a necessary step to keep the size of a sourdough starter sustainable.
Discard can last indefinitely in the fridge with proper maintenance. Feed it every 7-10 days and keep it covered so that it stays clean. Of course, toss the discard out if you find mold.
You can substitute active starter for discard if you don’t have enough discard for a recipe.
Sourdough is much-loved for its nutritional benefits. The fermentation process means that the grains are more digestible and the nutrients more readily available, while the flavors of sourdough are probably the most noticeable benefit!
Can I still preorder the sourdough cook book?
Yes. Here’s the link to preorder.
Can I have link too!
Hey Lisa,
I recently tried a sweet bread with herbs de Providence in it. I can’t remember if lime or lemon was in it. But it was delicious!
Have you tried something like this with the sourdough starter? I was hoping to try it, but I was wondering your thoughts.
Thanks and have a blessed day! God bless you in all your efforts!
I have a few different quick breads that I make. I have a lemon one. Here’s the link!
Do you have any more ebooks
These look so yummy! Thank you for sharing your list. Do you have a recipe for sourdough chocolate cobbler? It’s also called brownie pudding or chocolate fudge cake.
I don’t, but that sounds delicious!
Years ago I had a recipe for sour dough prune cake that was the best cake ever but I have lost the recipe. Do you have a recipe for a prune cake?
I don’t, but that would be a good recipe!