Sourdough brownies use your discard. This creates a rich, fudgy brownie with a slight tang. It is a good way to reduce food waste.
This recipe will give you moist, chocolatey brownies.
What You’ll Need
Here are the ingredients for this recipe. Using quality ingredients will make a difference.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter | 1/2 cup |
| Chocolate Chips | 1 1/4 cups |
| Granulated Sugar | 1 cup |
| Eggs | 2 large |
| Sourdough Discard | 1/2 cup |
| All-Purpose Flour | 1/2 cup |
| Unsweetened Cocoa Powder | 1/2 cup |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 tsp |
| Salt | 1/4 tsp |
Pro Tips
- Do Not Overmix: Once you add flour, mix only until it is just combined. Overmixing develops gluten and makes brownies dense.
- Cool Completely: Let the brownies cool in the pan before you cut them. Warm brownies are very fudgy and can fall apart if cut too soon.
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your pan with parchment paper. This makes it easy to lift the brownies out of the pan for clean cutting.
- Dissolve The Sugar: Whipping the eggs and sugar until the sugar fully dissolves is important. This step helps create the shiny, crackly top on the brownies.
Tools Required
- 8×8 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Spatula
Substitutions and Variations
You can adjust this recipe.
- Active Starter: You can use an active sourdough starter instead of discard. This may result in a more cake-like brownie.
- Chocolate: Use bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips based on your preference.
- Add-Ins: Mix in nuts, extra chocolate chunks, or sea salt on top before baking.
Make Ahead Tips
You can prepare the batter and store it.
Cover the mixed batter with plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator overnight to ferment.
When ready, pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a small saucepan, melt the butter and 1 cup of chocolate chips over low heat. Stir until smooth, then remove from heat.
Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and granulated sugar together. Whip them until the mixture is lighter in color.
Step 4: Pour the melted chocolate mixture and sourdough discard into the egg mixture. Stir to combine.
Step 5: Add the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt. Fold the ingredients with a spatula until just combined.
Step 6: Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips.
Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs.
Step 8: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting.
Nutrition and Diet Swaps
| Nutrition Info (Approximate per brownie) |
|---|
| Calories |
| Protein |
| Fat |
| Carbohydrates |
- For less sugar: You can try reducing the sugar slightly, but it may affect the texture.
- Meal Pairing: These brownies are great on their own. You can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk.
- Efficiency: Using one bowl for mixing the main batter can save time on cleanup.
Leftovers and Storage
Store leftover brownies in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 3-5 days.
You can also freeze the brownies. Wrap them well and freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw on the counter before eating.
FAQs
Q1. Can I use active starter instead of discard?
Ans: Yes. Using an active starter might make the brownies slightly more cakey.
Q2. How do I get a shiny, crackly top?
Ans: The key is to whip the eggs and sugar together long enough for the sugar to completely dissolve.
Q3. Why do my brownies fall apart when I cut them?
Ans: They were likely still too warm. Let the brownies cool completely to room temperature before slicing.
Q4. Do the brownies taste sour?
Ans: No. The sourdough discard adds a very subtle tang that enhances the chocolate flavor without making them taste sour.
Wrapping Up
This recipe is a simple way to use sourdough discard. The result is a delicious, fudgy brownie.
Try making them. Let me know how they turn out in the comments.
