Sourdough Brownies are classic chocolate brownies with an added sourdough starter to give them a little extra tang in every bite. Plus, it’s a perfect way to use that excess sourdough starter you have! If you love brownies, be sure to try my Mocha Brownies.
Easy Sourdough Brownies
I have made my share of brownies as you may all know😊. But, I couldn’t help but add another recipe to the mix after finally figuring out a sourdough starter that works for me. You may think that the two are not related. Brownies and sourdough starter??? Well, I am here to tell you they are! In fact, there are quite a few recipes that you could add a sourdough starter to for a boost in flavor.
And, now that I realize how much extra starter you get when making your own (I wanted it for my Simple Sourdough Bread recipe), I didn’t want it to go to waste! Lo and behold…Easy Sourdough Brownies!
Easy Sourdough Brownies Recipe
As I mentioned, this would be a perfect recipe to use that extra sourdough starter. Or, just use the starter you have ready to go in the refrigerator. Either way, I think you will like the added flavor that it gives to the brownies.
How to Make Easy Sourdough Brownies
Once you have some extra sourdough starter, you can easily make these moist and delicious brownies. It’s simply a matter of combining all the ingredients, baking, and enjoying! To get started, preheat the oven to 350°F and use a nonstick spray (or parchment paper) to prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan.
- Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place them into a bowl.
- Add in pieces of unsalted butter with the chocolate.
- Microwave the chocolate and butter for one minute, and stir, and heat them up for another 30 seconds. Stir until melted and the butter is completely incorporated.
- Add the sugar to the chocolate and butter mixture, mixing well.
- Add the vanilla, eggs, and pinch of salt. Again, stir until everything is incorporated.
- Finally, pour in the sourdough starter, mixing it in well with all the other ingredients.
Bake the brownies for 25-28 minutes, or when inserting a toothpick into the brownies, just a few crumbs are on the toothpick when you pull it out.
How to Make a Sourdough Starter
For these brownies, you just need to make it to the day when you begin removing half the starter (around day 3). Then, you can add it to your brownies recipe.
To begin, add 1/2 cup flour and 1/3-1/4 cup water to a jar and stir well. Then, gently cover the jar (do not seal it closed) and let it sit in a warm place (70°F is best) for 24 hours. The best option for a cover is a paper towel and rubber band. Or, just remember to keep the jar lid loosely sealed. Try to keep it in an area of your house that is somewhat warm. Very cool rooms tend to slow the action of a starter. Wait 24 hours before checking the mixture.
Day 2: After 24 hours, check the mixture for bubbles. If you see bubbles, add the flour and the water, mixing it well, and let it sit for the next 24 hours. If you don’t see bubbles, do not get discouraged! It sometimes takes a couple of days for the science of it all to work. Just wait another day (or even two) until the first feeding (adding flour and water).
Day 3: After another 24 hours, check for bubbles. If you do see bubbles, remove half of the starter, add the 1⁄2 cup flour and 1⁄4-1/3 cup water and stir thoroughly. Let sit 24 hours. Oh, and don’t get rid of the starter you removed! You can use this for these Easy Sourdough Brownies! And, now that you have been successful in feeding the starter, don’t stop now!
On days 4, 5, 6 you can feed it 2 times a day with the flour and water. Continue this routine until the starter is consistently bubbling and doubling in size within 8 hours of each feeding.
How to Store Easy Sourdough Brownies
Brownies should be stored in an air-tight container. They will last 1-2 days at room temperature. They may last a day or two longer if you store them in the refrigerator. In both cases, keep them in that air-tight container. If you want to freeze the brownies, do not cut them. Simply wrap the cooled brownies in plastic wrap. Then, wrap them up again in aluminum foil. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
PRO TIP: If you refrigerate these brownies and serve them cold the flavor intensifies!! I almost compared it to a fudge consistency. So good!
Looking for More Brownie Recipes?
Sourdough Brownies
Ingredients
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 pinch salt
- 3/4 cup sourdough starter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×9 pan with non-stick spray or parchment paper.
- Roughly chop the chocolate and place into a bowl.
- Slice the butter into smaller pieces and add to the chocolate. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir well and then microwave for another 30 seconds. Stir again and stir until all pieces are melted and the butter is incorporated.
- Add sugar to the chocolate and butter. Stir well.
- Add in vanilla, eggs, and pinch of salt. Stir until well incorporated.
- Add sourdough starter and stir by hand until smooth.
- Pour brownie batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-28 minutes or until an inserted toothpick is removed with a few crumbs but no wet batter. Do not overbake. (Every oven is different so start checking at 22 minutes just in case!)
Did you make this recipe?
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Hi Amanda darling!
I have oat flour because that’s all I could find and I ended up adding it to my Walmart unbleached flour (not proud of this flour lol) and I wanted to know can I use this mixture to make my sour dough starter kit? I’m so excited to start this as I’ve never made bread before. I can’t find flour anywhere right now and its so frustrating. Not even King Arthur company has any in stock. Please let me know if this four mixture will be ok.
Thanks!
Heidi Johnson
HI Heidi! Yes, you can use any type of oat grain to make your starter and an oar flour and unbleached flour combo would work just fine! (no shame!) You can even use just the unbleached if you want. 🙂
Hi Amanda, It is cool in my house and I didn’t have bubbles In my first feeding not thinking to wait another day tell I had bubbles l added my second feeding, should I throw it and start over or wait tell I see bubbles and carry on with my third feeding?
Give it one more day!
Can’t wait for them to come out the oven! This is my first try and hopefully successful 🤗
PLEASE let me know what you think! It’s our new favorite brownies and I am curious if others like them as well!
These brownies are decadent! This was my first time using sourdough starter, and am so glad I gave it a shot. I mixed in some chopped cashews, and next time might add some chocolate chips- I’m a chocoholic and love bursts of chocolate. Absolutely delicious, thanks for sharing!
YAY Becca!!! So excited for all the delicious sourdough starter recipes you will be making in the future! Love the addition of cashews… brilliant!
I watched your sourdough starter video. It was amazing. I have a question about the discard. If you keep adding to the discard and don’t use it all up to make other things, will it keep? And how to? Thank you.
Yes, it will eventually become a new starter! 🙂
Hi Amanda,
Love your sites!! Baker and Homestead.I started my sourdough starter 8 days ago. There is some bubbles, but nothing like yours. I’ll keep it going and try to keep it alive. My question is about the brownies. It’s only 4 ounces of chocolate? It doesn’t seen like enough.
Thanks, Jenn
So excited for you! Have you tried feeding it twice a day? This usually promotes growth and lets you see those bubbles get crazy! 🙂
Yes, it’s 4 ounces. I can’t wait until you try them, they really do taste like chocolate decadence!
On days 4,5,6 do you discard half each day or just feed it twice a day? When do you discard again? I guess I’m confused..
More directions here: https://iamhomesteader.com/sourdough-starter/
Thanks for responding so quickly.I made the brownies last night and they are wonderful. Even my picking eater had one. My son said they taste like lava cake.
Yes, I am feeding the starter twice a day, but it’s not doubling in size. It does have bubbles and smells fine. I named it Frannie (San Frannie-sico sourdough).
I’m so excited I like all your recipes.My family liked all I made.. thank you so much!!
Hi Amanda, I tried your sourdough starter, and its looking good 🙂 I’m excited. Quick question on baking the bread – I dont have a dutch over with lid, is it possible to bake it in any oven safe pan, and cover with aluminium foil? Would that work? Please let me know. Thanks so much!!