Fudgy Sourdough Brownies

close up view of crackly topped brownies.

4 from 1 vote

One bowl, no mixer, and the most decadent, rich, moist brownies ever. Meet your new favorite recipe for sourdough discard.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sourdough brownies, sourdough discard recipes

Servings: brownies

Calories: 277kcal

Author: Katie

Equipment

9 x 13 Pan
Mixing bowl

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable oil
½ cup cocoa
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
¾ teaspoon salt
3 eggs
½ cup sourdough starter (unfed, discard)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Prep. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Then, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) with the rack in the center.
Combine all ingredients. Mix the vegetable oil, cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, eggs, sourdough starter, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until smooth and shiny. You can use a spatula or a hand mixer. If you're using a mixer, add the chocolate chips last.
Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, then bake for 20-25 minutes. Don't forget to check for doneness at 20 minutes. The brownies are ready when you insert a toothpick in the center, and it comes out with large, moist crumbs but no wet batter. Even if they look slightly underdone, they will firm up as they cool.
Serve. After taking the brownies out of the oven, let them cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. Then, cut them into squares and serve them straight from the pan.

Notes

Make sure your eggs and sourdough starter are at room temperature to help them mix better into the batter, resulting in a smoother texture.

You can use vegetable oil for extra moisture and a crackly top, but they're still tasty with butter!

Mix the ingredients until just combined. It's important not to overmix as it can make the brownies tough. When adding the flour, gently fold it in.

Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes to help them set and makes cutting them into squares easier.

Using high-quality cocoa powder and chocolate chips will enhance the flavor of your brownies significantly.

Avoid overbaking the brownies; the center should be slightly soft.

You can personalize your brownies with mix-ins like nuts, dried fruit, or different types of chocolate chips. Just add them in moderation to maintain the fudgy texture.

Nutrition