13 Unique Sourdough Dessert Recipes

Craving a sweet twist on your favorite desserts? Look no further than sourdough! While sourdough is most commonly associated with savory bread, its tangy flavor and versatility can transform traditional sweets into next-level indulgences. Here are 13 unique sourdough dessert recipes that will take your baking to the next level. From sourdough brownies to donuts and everything in between, these desserts will make you see sourdough in a whole new light. Whether you’re looking to use up a leftover starter or just want to experiment with new flavors, these creative sourdough dessert recipes are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth with a tangy kick! Ready to bake something amazing? 

Sourdough Chocolate Cake

If you’ve never tried a chocolate cake with sourdough starter, you’re in for a treat. The starter adds a rich complexity that complements the chocolate beautifully. The result? A moist, slightly tangy cake with deep cocoa flavors. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough starter (discard or active) 
• 1 1/2 cups sugar 
• 1 3/4 cups flour 
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder 
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 
• 1 tsp baking powder 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 2 eggs 
• 1/2 cup oil 
• 1 cup warm water 

Directions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan. 
• Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. 
• In a separate bowl, combine the sourdough starter, eggs, oil, and warm water. 
• Gradually add wet ingredients to the dry mixture. 
• Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. 

Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

These sourdough cinnamon rolls are the perfect way to elevate a classic dessert. The sourdough adds a subtle tang, making these rolls more complex in flavor. Best of all, they’re soft, fluffy, and filled with cinnamon goodness. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough starter 
• 1/2 cup warm milk 
• 3 tbsp sugar 
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1 egg 
• 1/4 cup melted butter 
• 3 cups flour 
• 1/2 cup butter (for filling) 
• 1 cup brown sugar (for filling) 
• 2 tbsp cinnamon (for filling) 

Directions

• Mix the starter, milk, sugar, salt, egg, and melted butter in a bowl. Gradually add flour until a dough forms. 
• Knead for 5-10 minutes until smooth. 
• Let the dough rise for 4-6 hours. 
• Roll out the dough into a rectangle, spread softened butter, and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. 
• Roll into a log, slice, and let rise again.
• Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. 

Sourdough Brownies

For the chocolate lover, sourdough brownies add a delightful tang to your rich, fudgy dessert. These brownies are dense, chewy, and full of indulgent chocolate flavor. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough starter 
• 1 1/2 cups sugar 
• 1/2 cup butter, melted 
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 2 eggs 
• 1/2 cup flour 
• 1/2 tsp baking powder 

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. 
• Mix the melted butter, sugar, and cocoa powder until well combined. 
• Stir in the sourdough starter and vanilla. 
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. 
• Stir in the flour, salt, and baking powder. 
• Bake for 25-30 minutes. 

Sourdough Sugar Cookies

Adding sourdough starter to sugar cookies results in a chewy, flavorful twist on this classic dessert. They’re slightly tangy but still sweet and buttery. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened 
• 1 1/2 cups sugar 
• 1 egg 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1 cup sourdough starter 
• 2 1/2 cups flour 
• 1 tsp baking powder 
• 1/2 tsp salt 

Directions

• Cream the butter and sugar together. 
• Add the egg, vanilla extract, and sourdough starter and mix until smooth. 
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. 
• Gradually combine dry ingredients with the wet mixture. 
• Chill the dough for an hour, then roll it into balls and flatten it slightly on a baking sheet. 
• Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. 

Sourdough Banana Bread

This delicious sourdough banana bread combines the natural sweetness of bananas with the tangy undertones of sourdough. It’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a midday snack. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup mashed bananas (about 2 large bananas) 
• 1 cup sourdough starter 
• 1/2 cup sugar 
• 1/2 cup melted butter 
• 2 eggs 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1 1/2 cups flour 
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• 1/2 tsp salt 

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a loaf pan. 
• Mix mashed bananas, sourdough starter, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla. 
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. 
• Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. 
• Pour batter into the pan and bake for 55-60 minutes.

Sourdough Lemon Bars

The tang of sourdough starter complements the brightness of lemon in these tart and sweet sourdough lemon bars. They’re a refreshing dessert for any occasion. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour 
• 1/2 cup butter 
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar 
• 1/2 cup sourdough starter 
• 1 1/2 cups sugar 
• 1/4 cup lemon juice 
• 2 eggs 
• 1/2 tsp baking powder 

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. 
• Mix flour, butter, and powdered sugar for the crust. Press into a greased pan and bake for 15 minutes. 
• Combine the sourdough starter, sugar, lemon juice, eggs, and baking powder. 
• Pour the filling over the baked crust and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes. 

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies

Take your chocolate chip cookies to the next level by adding sourdough starter. The starter adds a slight tang that enhances the sweetness and richness of the chocolate. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened 
• 1 cup sugar 
• 1 cup brown sugar 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 2 eggs 
• 1 cup sourdough starter 
• 3 cups flour 
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 2 cups chocolate chips 

Directions

• Cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar. 
• Add eggs, vanilla, and sourdough starter, mixing well. 
• Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. 
• Fold in chocolate chips. 
• Drop dough onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.

Sourdough Cheesecake Crust

Why settle for a plain graham cracker crust when you can use a sourdough starter to create a cheesecake crust with added flavor? The tang from the sourdough pairs beautifully with creamy cheesecake filling. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 
• 1/4 cup sugar 
• 1/4 cup melted butter 
• 1/2 cup sourdough starter 
• Cheesecake filling

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 325°F. 
• Mix all ingredients together until the mixture resembles wet sand. 
• Press the mixture into a springform pan and bake for 10 minutes. 
• Add your favorite cheesecake filling and bake as directed. 

Sourdough Pumpkin Pie

Fall desserts get a boost from sourdough starter in this pumpkin pie recipe. The slightly tangy crust balances the sweet, spiced filling perfectly. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour 
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed 
• 1/4 cup sourdough starter 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1 cup pumpkin puree 
• 1/2 cup brown sugar 
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon 
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg 
• 2 eggs 
• 1/2 cup cream 

Directions

• Combine flour, butter, sourdough starter, and salt to make the crust. Chill for 30 minutes. 
• Preheat oven to 350°F. 
• Roll out the dough and press it into a pie dish. 
• In a separate bowl, mix pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, eggs, and cream. 
• Pour filling into the crust and bake for 45-50 minutes. 

Sourdough Apple Crumble

This sourdough apple crumble is the perfect combination of sweet and tangy. The sourdough starter adds a unique flavor to the crumb topping, making this dessert truly one-of-a-kind. 

Ingredients

• 4 cups sliced apples 
• 1/2 cup sugar 
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup flour 
• 1/2 cup rolled oats 
• 1/4 cup butter 
• 1/4 cup sourdough starter 

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. 
• Toss apples with sugar and cinnamon, then spread them in a baking dish. 
• Mix flour, oats, butter, and sourdough starter to create the crumble topping. 
• Sprinkle topping over the apples and bake for 30-35 minutes. 

Sourdough Donuts

These light, fluffy sourdough donuts are a delicious way to use up your sourdough starter. Fry them to perfection and coat them in sugar for a sweet, tangy treat. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm milk 
• 1/4 cup sugar 
• 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast 
• 1/2 cup sourdough starter 
• 1 egg 
• 1/4 cup butter, melted 
• 2 1/2 cups flour 
• Oil for frying 

Directions

• Dissolve sugar and yeast in warm milk, then mix in the sourdough starter, egg, and melted butter. 
• Gradually add flour to form a dough. 
• Let the dough rise for 1-2 hours, then roll out and cut into donut shapes. 
• Fry donuts in oil until golden brown, then roll in sugar. 

You can also experiment with Phyllo dough, a versatile and delicate pastry that is ideal for creating various phyllo dough dessert recipes.

Sourdough Carrot Cake

The addition of sourdough starter makes this carrot cake even more moist and flavorful. With cream cheese frosting, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar 
• 1/2 cup oil 
• 2 eggs 
• 1 cup sourdough starter 
• 1 1/2 cups flour 
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• 2 cups grated carrots 
• Cream cheese frosting 

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. 
• Mix sugar, oil, and eggs, then add the sourdough starter. 
• Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and grated carrots. 
• Pour batter into a greased pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. 

Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies

These sourdough gingerbread cookies are perfect for the holiday season. The tang from the sourdough starter complements the warm spices and molasses, creating a uniquely flavorful treat and a unique addition to sourdough dessert recipes.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter, softened 
• 1/4 cup sugar 
• 1/4 cup molasses 
• 1 cup sourdough starter 
• 2 cups flour 
• 1 tsp ginger 
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• 1/2 tsp baking soda 
• 1/4 tsp cloves 

Directions

• Cream together butter and sugar. 
• Mix in molasses and sourdough starter. 
• Stir in flour, spices, and baking soda. 
• Roll dough into balls, flatten, and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. 

Conclusion 

Incorporating sourdough starter into your desserts opens up a world of unique flavors and textures. These 13 unique sourdough dessert recipes prove that sourdough isn’t just for bread—it’s a versatile ingredient that adds depth, moisture, and a subtle tang to everything from cookies to cakes. Whether you’re an avid sourdough baker looking for new ways to use your starter or a dessert lover eager to try something different, these recipes are sure to inspire and delight. So go ahead, embrace the creativity of sourdough baking, and treat yourself to something both familiar and refreshingly new!