Best Sourdough Chocolate Cake Recipe with Discard

Indulge in the rich, decadent flavor of chocolate sourdough cake. This unique twist on a classic dessert combines the goodness of sourdough with the irresistible sweetness of chocolate. Moist and delicious, this cake is sure to satisfy any chocolate lover’s craving. 

What is Sourdough Discard?

Sourdough discard is the portion of your sourdough starter you remove before feeding it. This step is necessary to maintain the balance of yeast and bacteria in your starter.

Why Use Sourdough Discard in Cake?

Using sourdough discard in cake baking makes a more tender chocolate cake.

This is because the gluten in the sourdough starter is weakened during fermentation, and the increased acidity also helps tenderize the gluten in the cake batter.

The result is a cake with a delicate crumb, giving it a softer texture without a sour taste.

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Cake Ingredients

This cake is perfect for using your leftover starter. These are the ingredients that go into making a mouth-watering chocolate cake with sourdough discard.

Sourdough Chocolate Cake

• Flour: All-purpose flour is the go-to choice for this recipe. It’s essential to measure the flour correctly, as too much or too little can affect the texture and consistency of the cake.

• Cocoa Powder: Cacao or cocoa powder is the key ingredient in the cake’s rich, chocolatey flavor. Choose a high-quality powder for the best taste.

• Sourdough Discard: Using sourdough discard in the cake helps to create a tender crumb and moist cake. An active sourdough starter is also an option, but it won’t significantly affect the outcome.

• Sugar: Granulated organic white sugar is used in this recipe to provide sweetness to the cake.

• Baking Powder: The leavening agent in this recipe is baking powder, which helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.

• Salt: Helps to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.

• Butter: You can use room-temperature butter or substitute it with melted refined coconut oil.

• Eggs: Preferably organic or free-range, use large eggs at room temperature as they contribute structure, moisture, and richness to the cake.

• Vanilla Extract: Use a good quality pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.

• Milk: Milk adds moisture and richness to the cake, helping to create a tender crumb. I use whole milk for the best taste and texture.

• Hot Coffee: Freshly brewed hot coffee can intensify the chocolate flavor and add moisture to the cake, making it rich and delicious. However, if you prefer not to use coffee, hot water can be used as a substitute.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

• Softened Salted Butter: To make a smooth and creamy chocolate buttercream frosting, have softened butter at room temperature.
• Confectioners Sugar: Also known as powdered sugar, this is a key ingredient in any buttercream frosting recipe.
• Cocoa Powder: – Use natural unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: – Adding heavy whipping cream to your frosting helps make it spreadable.
• Vanilla Extract: – I recommend using pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is recommended if you are using unsalted butter.

Kitchen Tools You May Need

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To make a sourdough chocolate cake, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools, including:

1. Mixing bowls: You’ll need at least two mixing bowls – one mixing bowl for dry ingredients and another large mixing bowl for wet ingredients.
2. Whisk: A whisk or wooden spoon is helpful for thoroughly mixing the dry ingredients.
3. Mixer: While not strictly necessary, an electric hand mixer or stand mixer makes the job much easier, especially when beating the eggs and sugar together.
4. Measuring Cups and Spoons: To ensure accuracy, use measuring cups (wet and dry) and spoons when adding the ingredients.
5. Cake Pans: You’ll need two 9-inch cake pans to bake the cake in.
6. Parchment Paper: Lining the cake pan with parchment paper will help prevent the cake from sticking.

How to Make a Chocolate Sourdough Cake Recipe

Here’s how to make a sourdough chocolate cake with step-by-step instructions:

Step 1: Preparing the Dry Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round cake pans.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cacao or cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder until well combined.

Step 2: Mixing the Wet Ingredients

Mix the butter and granulated sugar in a separate large bowl. Add in the eggs, sourdough discard, and vanilla. Mix until the ingredients are smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Incorporating the Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet sourdough mixture, mixing gently until combined. The mixture should have a thick but smooth consistency at this stage.

Step 4: Adding Milk and Coffee (or Water)

Next, add the milk and hot coffee (or hot water) to the batter and gently stir until well combined.

Step 5: Baking the Cake

Pour batter into the greased cake pans and smooth the top with a spatula for an even surface.

Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

The exact baking time may vary, so keep a close eye on the cake to avoid over-baking.

Step 6: Cooling and Serving

Once the cakes are done baking, remove them from the oven and let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.

Then transfer the cake to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Make the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

You’ll need a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or a handheld mixer to make the perfect chocolate buttercream frosting.

Start by adding the softened butter to the mixing bowl. Then, beat the butter on high speed for approximately 3 minutes until it becomes creamy.

Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary to ensure even mixing and a smooth consistency for your frosting.

Next, add the confectioner’s sugar, cocoa powder, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to the bowl.

Beat the mixture on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, and then increase to medium speed and beat for another 3 minutes.

If the frosting is too thick, add another tablespoon of heavy cream to thin it out.

Step 8: Frost the Cake

Place one layer of the cake on a cake stand or a serving plate, flat side up.

Using an offset spatula or a butter knife, spread a generous layer of frosting on top of the first cake layer, covering it evenly.

Place the second cake layer on top of the frosted layer, flat side down, aligning it with the bottom layer.

Apply a thin layer of frosting, known as a “crumb coat,” all over the cake to catch any loose crumbs and create a smooth base for the final layer of frosting.

Place the cake in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.

Once the crumb coat has set, apply a thick and even layer of frosting all over the cake, covering the sides and top of the cake.

Step 9: Serve

Use a sharp serrated knife or a cake slicer to cut clean slices of the sourdough chocolate cake.

Then, savor the irresistible combination of sourdough and chocolate in this heavenly slice of cake – a treat that will satisfy your cravings and leave you in dessert bliss!

Chocolate Sourdough Cake Tips

• Ferment the cake batter overnight using a sourdough starter. This increases the nutritional value of the grains and makes them more easily digestible.
• Mix the batter gently until all the ingredients are just incorporated. Overmixing can result in a tough and dense cake.
• Allow the eggs and sourdough starter discard to come to room temperature by resting them on the counter for at least 30 minutes before mixing them into the batter.
• You can use an active sourdough starter or a sourdough discard to make a delicious cake.
• To prevent your chocolate sourdough cake from sticking to the pan, lightly grease the pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper.

How do you Store Sourdough Chocolate Cake?

To store a sourdough chocolate cake made with dairy ingredients, you should let the cake cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, store the cake with a cake cover in the refrigerator.

Printable Recipe Card | Sourdough Chocolate Cake

This sourdough chocolate cake recipe is a dream come true for both sourdough and chocolate lovers.

The rich chocolate cake boasts a perfect indulgent sweetness that will delight your taste buds with every bite. The tender texture of this cake is simply irresistible, and it’s a perfect dessert to satisfy your chocolate cravings.

So if you’re a sourdough lover looking to elevate your baking game or a chocolate enthusiast searching for a new and unique treat, try this recipe.

This may become a favorite in your dessert repertoire, and you’ll be amazed at the incredible results you can achieve with just a few simple ingredients and some sourdough discard. Happy baking!

Thank you for sharing!