Description
Rich, moist, and deeply chocolatey, this Sourdough Discard Chocolate Cake is an easy no-waste dessert. The sourdough discard adds a subtle tang that boosts the cocoa flavor, making it perfect for weeknight treats, parties, or anytime a chocolate craving hits.
Ingredients
1 cup (240g) sourdough discard (unfed starter, room temperature)
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup (80ml) vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup (120ml) brewed coffee or hot water
1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
Optional Frosting:
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups (175g) powdered sugar
1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8- or 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and flour.
3. Add sourdough discard, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
4. Slowly stir in the hot coffee (or hot water) until fully combined. Batter will be thin.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
6. Cool in the pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
7. Optional frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla, and salt. Add milk/cream 1 tbsp at a time until spreadable.
8. Frost cooled cake, slice, and serve.
Notes
Coffee deepens the chocolate flavor but can be replaced with hot water.
For dairy-free frosting, use plant-based butter and dairy-free milk.
For extra chocolate, fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips before baking.
Storage: cover and keep at room temp up to 2 days, refrigerate up to 5 days, or freeze slices up to 2 months.
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary based on pan size and frosting amount.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg