If you love baking with sourdough like I do, you probably already know it’s not just for making bread. Sourdough works beautifully in desserts, too! I didn’t even realize how many sourdough desserts I had made over time, so I pulled together a collection of 20+ sourdough dessert recipes—perfect for using up discard or an active starter.
Whether you’re baking for a special event or just need a sweet treat to share, these sourdough desserts are crowd-pleasers. The sourdough starter adds a subtle tang, but otherwise, they’re just delicious desserts that happen to have a sourdough twist.
Jump to:
- Sourdough Beignets
- Sourdough Discard Key Lime Ricotta Cookies
- Sourdough Discard Chocolate Glazed Donuts
- Sourdough Discard Poppy Seed Muffins
- Brioche Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
- Mini Sourdough Walnut Rolls
- Sourdough Chocolate Cake with Raspberries
- Sourdough Fruit Cake with Spices
- Sourdough Lemon Balm Sheet Cake
- Sourdough Scones with Raspberry and White Chocolate
- Sourdough Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel)
- Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
- Sourdough Vanilla Wafers
- Sourdough Carrot Cake Muffins
- Sourdough Apple Cinnamon Roll Roses
- Sourdough Discard Pop Tarts
- Sourdough Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Double Chocolate Sourdough Muffin
- Sourdough Discard Chocolate Cupcakes
- Sourdough Bomboloni Doughnuts
- Sourdough Chocolate Knots with Nutella
- Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Sourdough Discard Chocolate Coconut Cake Squares
- Sourdough Discard Banana Bars
- Pin it for Later
Sourdough Beignets

Sourdough Beignets have a light, crisp exterior and a soft, airy interior thanks to an overnight cold proof. Dust them with powdered sugar and fry fresh for a simple, make-ahead treat perfect for brunch or weekend mornings.
Sourdough Discard Key Lime Ricotta Cookies
Soft and tender, Sourdough Discard Key Lime Ricotta Cookies combine bright citrus flavor with a rich ricotta creaminess. The sourdough discard adds a subtle tang that enhances their melt-in-your-mouth texture. Finished with a sweet and zesty lime glaze, these cookies are great for snacks, brunch, or dessert.
Sourdough Discard Chocolate Glazed Donuts
Sourdough Discard Chocolate Glazed Donuts have a soft, pillowy texture and are finished with a smooth, rich chocolate glaze. Made with leftover starter, they’re a satisfying way to turn discard into a bakery-style treat.
Sourdough Discard Poppy Seed Muffins
Sourdough Discard Poppy Seed Muffins have a tender crumb, a bright lemon flavor, and a subtle sourdough edge that adds depth. The poppy seeds bring a light crunch, making each bite just the right mix of soft and textured.
Brioche Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
Brioche Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls have a rich, buttery dough that bakes up soft and golden. Each roll is packed with cinnamon sugar that melts into every swirl, and the cream cheese frosting adds just the right finish. You can prep them the night before so they’re ready to bake fresh in the morning.
Mini Sourdough Walnut Rolls
Mini Sourdough Walnut Rolls are bite-sized pastries made with soft sourdough brioche dough and a spiced walnut filling. Rich, nutty, and just the right amount of sweet.
Sourdough Chocolate Cake with Raspberries
Rich Sourdough Chocolate Cake with Raspberries delivers bold chocolate flavor with bursts of tart raspberries in every bite. The sourdough discard brings a subtle depth and keeps the cake incredibly moist, making it an indulgent bake that always stands out.
Sourdough Fruit Cake with Spices
Sourdough Fruit Cake with Spices is a moist and gently spiced cake packed with dried fruits and the deep flavor that comes from using a sourdough starter. It has a soft, tender crumb and slices neatly.
Sourdough Lemon Balm Sheet Cake
Sourdough Lemon Balm Sheet Cake is a light and moist cake with a subtle citrus flavor from fresh lemon balm. The sourdough starter gives it a soft texture and depth without making it too sweet. Baked in a sheet pan, it’s easy to slice and pack, making it a simple choice for outdoor gatherings or casual desserts at home.
Sourdough Scones with Raspberry and White Chocolate
Soft and buttery, these scones with raspberry and white chocolate combine tart fruit and sweet chocolate in every bite. Made with a sourdough starter, they have a tender texture that stays fresh longer. Sourdough Scones with Raspberry and White Chocolate are easy to bake and perfect for a cozy morning or afternoon treat.
Sourdough Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel)
This apple strudel features sweet, tender apples wrapped in flaky dough with a subtle sourdough flavor adding depth. The filling blends cinnamon and spices that warm every bite. Sourdough Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel) is easy to make and delivers a comforting treat that feels both classic and fresh.
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
A warm, gooey cookie baked right in a skillet, loaded with chocolate chips and a rich flavor from the sourdough starter. The edges are crisp while the center stays soft and chewy. The Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet is perfect for sharing or enjoying straight from the pan.
Sourdough Vanilla Wafers
These vanilla wafers are crisp, light, and easy to bake with just a few ingredients. The sourdough adds a subtle depth to the flavor without overpowering the classic vanilla taste. The simplest Sourdough Vanilla Wafers you’ll ever make are a quick treat that’s perfect for anytime snacking.
Sourdough Carrot Cake Muffins
Warm spices and fresh carrot combine in these moist, flavorful muffins with balanced sweetness and a tender texture. Whip up the best Sourdough Carrot Cake Muffins for a quick, satisfying treat any time of day.
Sourdough Apple Cinnamon Roll Roses
Delicate and flavorful, these apple cinnamon roll roses combine soft sourdough dough with warm cinnamon and sweet apple slices. The rolled design makes them as beautiful as they are tasty. Sourdough Apple Cinnamon Roll Roses are a memorable treat that’s sure to impress.
Sourdough Discard Pop Tarts
This grown-up take on pop tarts uses sourdough discard to create a flaky, buttery crust filled with your favorite jam or fruit filling. The result is a homemade Sourdough Discard Pop Tarts treat that’s both simple and impressive.
Sourdough Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
When a sweet tooth hits, these Sourdough Double Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect answer. Made with sourdough discard, they’re rich, chocolatey, and soft with a little chew.
Double Chocolate Sourdough Muffin
These easy Double Chocolate Sourdough Muffins are rich and moist thanks to the sourdough starter. They’re packed with chocolate flavor and made with simple ingredients. Quick to prepare, they’re perfect for a tasty breakfast or an easy sweet treat.
Sourdough Discard Chocolate Cupcakes
These cupcakes mix rich chocolate with a smooth coconut flavor that sneaks in just enough sweetness without overpowering. The sourdough discard keeps them moist and gives the crumb a slight chew that feels homemade. Coconutty Sourdough Discard Chocolate Cupcakes are perfect if you want a dessert that’s a little different but still super easy to make.
Sourdough Bomboloni Doughnuts
Fluffy and tender, these Sourdough Bomboloni Doughnuts bring a soft, brioche-like dough with a slight sourdough lift that sets them apart from regular doughnuts. Lightly sweet and perfect for filling or dusting with sugar, they capture the festive spirit of traditional European treats with an easy homemade twist.
Sourdough Chocolate Knots with Nutella
These chocolate knots combine the soft chew of sourdough with the rich creaminess of Nutella, all wrapped up in a simple twisted shape. Unlike traditional filled pastries, they use the chocolate spread on top for easy, mess-free indulgence. Same say Sourdough Chocolate Knots with Nutella are quick to make and perfect when you want a homemade treat without extra steps.
Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These chewy cookies blend hearty oats and sweet raisins with a touch of sourdough discard for added texture and flavor. Easy to make and perfect for baking with kids, they bring a warm, homemade feel to any snack time. Chewy Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Raisin Cookies make every bite a comforting treat.
Sourdough Discard Chocolate Coconut Cake Squares
These cake squares stand out with their moist, tender crumb and the perfect balance of rich chocolate and subtle coconut flavor. Made using sourdough discard, they offer a soft texture that stays fresh whether served as bite-sized party treats or larger dessert pieces. Sourdough Discard Chocolate Coconut Cake Squares bring a simple way to enjoy layered flavors in every bite.
Sourdough Discard Banana Bars
Sourdough Discard Banana Bars are moist, banana-packed treats with a soft, cake-like texture. The sourdough discard adds a slight tang that balances the sweetness, making them a simple yet satisfying way to use up ripe bananas and starter.
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