Description
These fudgy sourdough discard brownies are a rich, dense, and chocolatey weeknight treat that uses up starter without feeding it. Enhanced with espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor, they bake in just 25 minutes for an easy, zero-waste dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (240g) sourdough discard
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until liquid but not hot. Let it cool slightly.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter, granulated sugar, and eggs vigorously for about one minute until the mixture is glossy and slightly pale.
- Stir in the sourdough discard and vanilla extract until combined.
- Sift in the cocoa powder, flour, espresso powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a spatula until just combined and no flour streaks remain. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes. Check at 22 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, not wet batter or completely clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack (at least 20 minutes) before lifting out and slicing into squares.
Notes
Do not overmix the batter to ensure a fudgy texture rather than cakey. Underbake slightly for the best fudgy consistency. Espresso powder enhances chocolate flavor but does not make the brownies taste like coffee. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: sourdough discard, brownies, fudgy brownies, espresso brownies, weeknight dessert, easy baking, zero waste, chocolate dessert