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These aren’t your average brownies. They’re rich, fudgy, and secretly packed with sourdough discard, which adds an incredible depth of flavor and makes for an ultra-moist, deeply chocolatey bite. If you’ve never tried Sourdough Brownies before, you’re in for a treat—just like my Chocolate Sourdough Cupcakes, the discard brings amazing texture and moisture.
Made with dark cocoa and high-quality chocolate, these brownies bake up with gooey centers and a glossy layer of chocolate icing on top. They’re delicious at room temperature, but I actually love them chilled—just like I do with my sourdough chocolate chip cookie bars. I keep a stash in the freezer for late-night cravings, and trust me, they never last long.
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Why You’ll Love Sourdough Brownies
- Comfort Food – Brownies are the ultimate sweet indulgence, and these are no exception. If you’re looking for another brownie recipe, try these Sourdough Peanut Butter Brownies too.
- Quick & Easy – This easy sourdough brownie recipe comes together fast. They’re as easy as my fan-favorite Sourdough Blondies and Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies and just as irresistible.
- Always a Hit – This is the kind of brownie recipe everyone loves. Need a chocolate dessert for a crowd? Don’t miss my Sourdough Texas Sheet Cake or my chocolate sourdough croissant bread – they’re it’s guaranteed favorites.
Sourdough Discard Tip: I keep a jar in my fridge that I continually add sourdough discard to. Discard is a by-product of your sourdough starter and there is no reason to throw it away. Instead, use it in incredible sourdough discard recipes where it adds moisture and great flavor. Use older, more tangy discard in savory recipes like these Sourdough Discard Butter Crackers and young/fresh discard in sweeter recipes like my favorite Chocolate Sourdough Crinkle Cookies.
Important Ingredients
- Sourdough Discard – Use sourdough discard or active sourdough starter. If you don’t mind a more pronounced sourdough flavor, you can use refrigerated discard from up to a week or two old. I always use 100% hydration sourdough discard (fed equal weights of flour and water).
- Flour: I recommend using all-purpose flour in this recipe. I think a soft whole wheat flour could also work well, but I haven’t tried it yet – let me know if you do!
- Eggs: This recipe relies on creaming the egg and sugar together until light and fluffy – it’s where the brownies get their rich texture and height.
- Chocolate – A good-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate bar or good-quality chocolate chips bring deep chocolate flavor to these brownies. Chocolate chips are a little less stable, but I’ve found semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips to work well in this recipe.
- Cocoa Powder – A dark/dutch processed cocoa powder makes these fudgy brownies extra chocolately.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities
Substitutions
- Cocoa Powder: You can substitute regular cocoa powder instead of dutch processed cocoa powder, but the flavor won’t be quite as deep/rich.
- Nuts: While this recipe doesn’t include them, you could add nuts to these brownies or sprinkle them on top of the frosting if you are looking for a nutty crunch on top.
- Unsalted Butter: Salted butter can be substituted. If you are sensitive to salt, decrease the salt in the recipe to 1/4 tsp if substituting salted butter.
- Frosting: The frosting is so simple and adds even more chocolatey goodness to these brownies, but you can leave it off completely or top with any favorite frosting. Add sprinkles, chopped nuts or mini mnms to the top of these brownies for a little flair.
How to Make Fudgy Sourdough Brownies
Mix The Batter
Step 1: Add the chopped chocolate (or semi-sweet chocolate chips), butter and cocoa powder to a liquid measuring cup. Microwave in 30 second increments until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is stirred smooth. Alternatively, melt chocolate mixture in a saucepan on the stove. Set aside until cool.
Step 2: Combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar and eggs in a medium bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer for a few minutes until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and the sourdough discard and mix until completely combined.
Step 3: Pour the cooled, melted chocolate mixture from the liquid measuring cup into the sugar/egg mixture and mix until completely combined.
Step 4: Add the flour, baking powder and salt to a small bowl and fluff together with a fork. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to fold the dry mixture into the chocolate batter. Gently stir until combined.
Sour Brownies? When adding sourdough discard to a recipe, if you want a pronounced sourdough flavor, use refrigerated discard up to a week or two old. If you don’t want a sour flavor, use fresh discard or bubbly sourdough starter.
Prepare the Pan
Step 5: Line a pan with parchment paper. This will help prevent your brownies from sticking to the pan.
Step 6: Spread the brownie mixture into the parchment-lined 8×8 metal baking dish. This
This recipe makes thick sourdough brownies. If you prefer a thinner brownie, you may want to use a 9 by 9-inch pan instead.
Bake & Frost
Step 7: Preheat oven to 350ºF and bake brownies for 50-55 minutes. If you want an even gooey-er brownie, it can bake for about 45 minutes or, for a firmer brownie give it 55-60 minutes. Let cool in the pan.
Step 8: After allowing the brownies to cool, remove from the pan and mix melted butter, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, milk, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Spread frosting on top of the brownies.
How to Store Leftovers
Wrap individual brownies in parchment and store in a freezer bag for a quick dessert fix. They last 1-2 months in the freezer. Let them thaw at room temp for 30 minutes—or eat them cold like I do!
Amy’s Recipe Tip
For the best flavor, use good quality semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate—milk chocolate doesn’t hold up as well in these brownies. You can use chocolate chips or melt your favorite 8 oz chocolate bar. And don’t skip on the cocoa powder! A dark or Dutch-processed cocoa gives these brownies their rich, intense chocolate flavor, so choose a good one for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
I find that sourdough discard adds moisture and flavor to recipes, plus there are great health benefits to sourdough because of the fermentation. If you use “newer” discard, these brownies won’t have a very pronounced tangy flavor.
Yes. Add about 3/4 to 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts would be my pick) into the final mixed brownie batter if you want them in the brownies. Sprinkle them on top of the frosting if you are looking for a nutty crunch on top.
You can, but the flavor won’t be quite as deep/rich. If you can, I definitely recommend using a dutch process cocoa powder.
I prefer using a metal baking pan for brownies because it bakes more evenly. You can use glass but be aware that glass holds heat longer – so brownies may tend to over-bake.
Chocolate Sourdough Recipes
If you tried these Sourdough Brownies or any other recipe on my website leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Happy Baking!
Fudgy Sourdough Brownies
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Ingredients
Sourdough Discard Brownies
- 227 grams chocolate, see recipe notes, about 8 oz
- 113 grams unsalted butter, about 8 Tablespoons
- 35 grams cocoa powder, see recipe notes, about 1/3 cup
- 140 grams brown sugar, about 2/3 cup
- 150 grams granulated sugar, about 2/3 cup
- 2 large eggs, about 100 grams
- 6 grams vanilla extract, about 2 teaspoons
- 120 grams sourdough discard, 100% hydration, see recipe notes, about 1/2 cup
- 150 grams all purpose flour, about 1 cup
- 2 grams baking powder, about 1/2 teaspoon
- 4 grams salt, about 1/2 teaspoon
Brownie Frosting
- 55 grams unsalted butter, melted, 1/4 cup
- 25 grams cocoa powder, see recipe notes, 1/4 cup
- 3 grams vanilla extract, about 1 teaspoon
- 30 grams milk, about 2 Tablespoons
- 110 grams powdered sugar, about 1 cup
- pinch of salt, to taste
Instructions
Sourdough Discard Brownies
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- To a liquid measuring cup, add the chopped chocolate (or semi-sweet chocolate chips), butter and cocoa powder. Microwave in 30 second increments until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is stirred smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. You can also do this on the stovetop if desired.
- To a small bowl, add the brown sugar, white sugar and eggs. Using a hand mixer, mix the sugar and eggs together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and the sourdough discard and mix for a minute or two until completely combined.
- Add the chocolate mixture to the sugar/egg mixture and mix again until completely mixed.
- To a small bowl add the flour, baking powder and salt and fluff together with a fork. Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture and use a wooden spoon to combine completely.
- Line an 8 by 8 metal pan with parchment paper. Pour the mixture in the pan and spread to the edges. Bake for about 50-55 minutes until set. The middle may still be a little gooey, but will set up as the brownies cool.
- While the brownies cool, prepare the frosting. Mix together melted butter, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, milk, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Spread on the lukewarm or cooled brownies. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Easy recipe to make and follow with great taste. I took them out of the oven after 45 minutes and they were a little over cooked for me but I think electric ovens seem to cook things quicker than gas. I like fudgy brownies and next time I will cook them between 35-40 minutes.
Thank you for an easy recipe, I will keep trying until I figure out the right temp for my oven.
Trying your butter crackers next time. Thank you!
Oven temperature can really vary a lot. It’s good to get to know how your oven bakes. Enjoy the brownies and the crackers!
Amazing brownie. Came out perfect Followed recipe exact and I’ll stop looking for the perfect brownie since I’ve found it
I’m glad you found the perfect brownie recipe for you! Thanks for the review.
I forgot to leave a rating! These are the best as are all of the recipes I have tried so far. Thank you!!!
Thanks you!
I have made these and they are INCREDIBLE!!! I want to make a bigger batch and use 1 pan. If I double the recipe and use a 9×13 pan to bake, what temp/time do you recommend?
I’m glad they turn out great for you! I would bake at the same temp as the original recipe, but they will likely need to bake for a bit longer to compensate for the bigger batch.
These are Ahmazing! Thank you!
Best brownies I’ve ever had.
In the 80s I worked for a guy who had a renter who made incredible brownies. These are even better than hers, im so glad to have this recipe! Thank you!
Thanks for the review! I’m glad they turned out great.
Major yummy!!!! These turned out fantastic. I really enjoyed the different texture than I’m used to and fantastic chocolatey taste. I used Ghirardelli 60% Bittersweet chips and worked like a charm. I never have milk on hand, but used some powered milk mixed with water and worked fine. The chocolate mixture after microwaving was like a thick pudding.
My mom used to frost brownies, but I’ve gotten away from that. These are awesome with the frosting, and look really pretty with sprinkles on top. Will definitely make these again. I only had a 9X9 pan, and the cooking time was about 42-45 mins using convection. Thanks for an awesome recipe, will definitely explore some more.
Thanks for sharing your notes and review!
I’m just about to make these and wanted to know how they freeze with the topping? I usually don’t freeze frosting so curious if you’ve tried it.
I think they freeze great! When I thaw something frosted like this, I usually let it thaw at room temperature instead of microwaving.
I just made for first time yesterday as well. I haven’t frozen any yet, but had them in the fridge last night. Very tasty straight out of the fridge, even better closer to room temp….but had a hard time waiting that long to finish it! I think they will freeze well, but this batch won’t last long enough to freeze.
Maybe a double batch? They definitely go fast!
Have you been able to make this recipe with an egg substitute?
I haven’t tried that, but other commenters have mentioned egg substitutes that have worked for them on this and other recipes!
Do you think baking chocolate would work?
I think that would work!