15+ Dessert Recipes Using Sourdough Discard

I hated tossing out the discard every time I fed my starter, and after many years of baking sourdough, having discard is just something we can't avoid. But of course, we always find a way to use it up, one way is turning it into dessert. This list of 15+ Dessert Recipes Using Sourdough Discard is great for any gathering, even as a party treat.

There are finger food desserts like cookies, as well as rich cakes and muffins, everything that's a favorite in my family or even a crowd-favorite. I hope this collection gives you a few new go-to desserts too, and maybe even turns discard baking into something you look forward to.

Jump to:

• Fudgy Sourdough Discard Brownies
• Sourdough Discard Key Lime Ricotta Cookies
• Sourdough Discard Chocolate Glazed Donuts
• Sourdough Discard Poppy Seed Muffins
• Sourdough Discard Banana Bars
• Sourdough Discard Pop Tarts
• Coconutty Sourdough Discard Chocolate Cupcakes
• Chewy Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
• Sourdough Discard Chocolate Coconut Cake Squares
• Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Sourdough Chocolate Cake with Raspberries
• Sourdough Lemon Balm Sheet Cake
• Sourdough Scones with Raspberry and White Chocolate
• Sourdough Apple Strudel
• Sourdough Vanilla Wafers
• Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
• Sourdough Carrot Cake Muffins
• Double Chocolate Sourdough Muffin
• Sourdough Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Fudgy Sourdough Discard Brownies

Fudgy Sourdough Discard Brownies are a simple and delicious way to use up extra sourdough discard. The discard adds a slight tang that deepens the chocolate flavor without overpowering it. These brownies come out rich, moist, and perfectly fudgy-just the way a good brownie should be. You don't need anything fancy, just basic pantry ingredients and your leftover starter.

Sourdough Discard Key Lime Ricotta Cookies

Sourdough Discard Key Lime Ricotta Cookies are soft, moist, and full of bright lime flavor. The ricotta gives them a smooth texture, and the sourdough discard helps keep them light without affecting the taste. Topped with a quick lime glaze, these cookies are a refreshing treat for any time of day.

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Glazed Donuts

A soft dough made with sourdough discard forms the base of these Sourdough Discard Chocolate Glazed Donuts, giving them structure without heaviness. Once baked or fried, they're finished with a smooth chocolate glaze that sets just enough to crack with each bite. Simple ingredients, satisfying results.

Sourdough Discard Poppy Seed Muffins

Use up your sourdough discard with these lemony Sourdough Discard Poppy Seed Muffins. They're easy to make, tender in texture, and full of bright citrus flavor-perfect for breakfast or a quick snack.

Sourdough Discard Banana Bars

Ripe bananas and sourdough discard team up in these Sourdough Discard Banana Bars to create a tender, cake-like texture with a naturally sweet flavor. The discard blends smoothly into the batter, helping with rise and moisture without overpowering the banana. 

Sourdough Discard Pop Tarts

These Sourdough Discard Pop Tarts use buttery pastry and a simple filling for a crisp, flaky result that's far from store-bought. The discard adds structure to the dough, making it easy to handle and bake evenly. 

Coconutty Sourdough Discard Chocolate Cupcakes

Coconutty Sourdough Discard Chocolate Cupcakes combine rich cocoa with a hint of coconut for a balanced, not-too-sweet treat. The discard helps create a moist, even crumb without affecting the flavor. Easy to make and satisfying in every bite.

Chewy Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Chewy in the center and crisp at the edges, this Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Raisin Cookies recipe turns a classic into something even more satisfying. The discard works quietly in the background, helping create a balanced texture without changing the flavor you expect.

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Coconut Cake Squares

With a texture between a brownie and a snack cake, these Sourdough Discard Chocolate Coconut Cake Squares bring together rich cocoa and chewy coconut in every bite. The discard adds just enough structure to create a dense, moist crumb that holds its shape-no frosting required.

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies

In these Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies, the discard helps lock in moisture for that perfect chewy center without the cakey texture. With a mix of chocolate chips and M&Ms, they bake up soft, colorful, and ready to steal the show at any holiday table.

Sourdough Chocolate Cake with Raspberries

Rich and full of deep cocoa flavor, this Sourdough Chocolate Cake with Raspberries uses discard to create a smooth, velvety crumb. The raspberries cut through the richness with a subtle tartness, making each bite balanced and bold without being overly sweet.

Sourdough Lemon Balm Sheet Cake

Fresh lemon balm adds a light, citrusy note to this Sourdough Lemon Balm Sheet Cake, while the discard gives it a tender, even crumb. It's an easy one-pan bake with a clean flavor that stands out without needing heavy frosting or extras.

Sourdough Scones with Raspberry and White Chocolate

In these Sourdough Scones with Raspberry and White Chocolate, the discard helps create a tender, balanced crumb that supports bursts of juicy berries and melted white chocolate. The dough is easy to handle and bakes into golden scones with crisp edges and soft centers.

Sourdough Apple Strudel

Layers of thin dough wrap around a spiced apple filling in this Sourdough Apple Strudel, where sourdough discard adds strength and flexibility to the dough without changing the classic flavor. The result is a crisp, golden crust with a warm, gently sweet interior that slices clean and holds its shape.

Sourdough Vanilla Wafers

With a light crunch and subtle vanilla flavor, these Sourdough Vanilla Wafers make the most of your discard in a simple, straightforward bake. The sourdough adds just enough body to the dough, giving the cookies a satisfying texture that holds up well for snacking or layering in desserts.

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet

Baked until the edges are crisp and the center stays soft and gooey, this Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet uses discard to create a thick, chewy texture that holds together without drying out. It's simple to prepare in one pan and delivers rich flavor with every slice.

Sourdough Carrot Cake Muffins

In these Sourdough Carrot Cake Muffins, the discard helps create a moist, balanced crumb that lets the spices and carrots take center stage. They're lightly sweetened, easy to mix, and bake up into tender muffins with all the flavor of classic carrot cake-just in a grab-and-go size.

Double Chocolate Sourdough Muffin

This Double Chocolate Sourdough Muffin uses discard to create a soft, moist crumb that holds rich cocoa flavor and melty chocolate in every bite. The batter comes together fast with everyday ingredients, making it a solid option for any time you need a quick chocolate fix.

Sourdough Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Rich with cocoa and loaded with chocolate chips, these Sourdough Double Chocolate Chip Cookies use discard to create a soft, chewy texture without adding complexity to the flavor. The dough mixes easily and bakes into cookies with crisp edges and dense, fudgy centers.