Sourdough Chocolate Chip Blondies

The marriage of tangy sourdough discard and rich, buttery blondie batter creates a truly irresistible treat in these Sourdough Chocolate Chip Blondies. With crisp golden edges and soft, chewy centers, they’re packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips that melt into every bite. It’s a delightful way to use leftover sourdough starter without compromising on indulgence.

Perfect for after-dinner dessert, lunchbox surprises, or cozy coffee pairings, these blondies are a baker’s dream. Easy to prepare, freezer-friendly, and endlessly customizable, they’ll soon become a staple in your home baking routine. From weeknight cravings to weekend potlucks, this crowd-pleasing recipe is your new go-to for sweet satisfaction.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup sourdough discard (unfed)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

• Flaky sea salt, optional (for topping)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.

3. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.

4. Stir in the sourdough discard.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

6. Fold in the chocolate chips evenly.

7. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the top.

8. Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top if desired.

9. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

10. Allow to cool in the pan before slicing into squares.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 16 blondies

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Blondies – A Rich, Chewy Dessert Bar with a Tangy Twist

Sourdough discard has found its way into some of the most creative baked goods, and one of the most delightful recipes to emerge from this trend is the Sourdough Chocolate Chip Blondies. These chewy, golden-brown bars combine the familiar comfort of chocolate chip cookies with the dense, buttery texture of a blondie, and they get an exciting flavor boost from tangy, unfed sourdough starter. If you’re an avid sourdough baker or simply hate wasting discard, this recipe is a revelation. It’s quick, deeply satisfying, and turns a humble by-product into an irresistibly sweet treat.

Whether you’ve got a thriving sourdough starter on your kitchen counter or you’re just beginning to explore the world of sourdough, this recipe is an easy way to use up that excess discard. These blondies are soft and moist on the inside with a slight crisp on the edges, giving them a bakery-style texture that’s hard to beat. The addition of chocolate chips adds decadence, and a pinch of flaky sea salt on top helps balance the sweetness, delivering a perfectly rounded bite every time.

The Beauty of Baking with Sourdough Discard

If you’re new to sourdough baking, it might seem odd to put a sourdough starter into a dessert. But the magic of sourdough discard is its versatility. Though it’s called “discard,” this ingredient still carries flavor and nutritional benefits. Sourdough discard adds a subtle tang that beautifully balances the rich sweetness of blondies. It also improves texture by contributing a slight chewiness that’s highly sought after in dessert bars.

The acidity of the sourdough also helps activate the baking soda, promoting a better rise and crumb structure. This results in a tender yet slightly chewy blondie that holds its shape well and doesn’t dry out as quickly as traditional versions. Plus, using discard is an eco-friendly way to reduce food waste in your kitchen, making your baking both delicious and sustainable.

Key Ingredients That Make a Difference

These Sourdough Chocolate Chip Blondies may look like simple dessert bars, but each ingredient plays a critical role in developing their flavor, texture, and structure.

• Sourdough Discard: Unfed and at room temperature, discard lends a mild tang and adds moisture to the blondie batter. It also deepens the flavor and gives the bars an almost caramel-like complexity.

• Brown Sugar: This ingredient provides sweetness and enhances the moist, chewy texture. The molasses in brown sugar also adds a rich depth of flavor that complements the sourdough.

• Butter: Melted butter gives the blondies their soft texture and rich taste. It helps create that classic shiny, slightly crisp top layer while delivering a satisfying density.

• Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips bring melty pockets of chocolate throughout the bars. You can also substitute or combine them with dark chocolate chunks, white chocolate, or butterscotch chips for variety.

• Vanilla Extract: High-quality vanilla rounds out the flavor and balances the tang of the sourdough with sweet, floral notes.

• Flaky Sea Salt: A light sprinkle on top creates contrast and enhances every bite by drawing out the natural flavors of chocolate and brown sugar.

Why These Blondies Are Ideal for Any Occasion

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Blondies are the kind of recipe you’ll want to have in your baking repertoire at all times. Why? Because they’re versatile, crowd-pleasing, and incredibly easy to make. Here are a few reasons these blondies are perfect for so many occasions:

• Easy to Make: No fancy equipment or techniques are required. Just a mixing bowl, a spoon, and a baking pan.

• Minimal Ingredients: Everything you need is likely already in your pantry and fridge.

• Great Use of Leftovers: If you bake with sourdough regularly, this is an ideal way to use up discard that would otherwise go to waste.

• Freezer-Friendly: Make a double batch and freeze half. Blondies freeze beautifully and make a great last-minute dessert.

• Customizable: Want to add chopped walnuts, a swirl of peanut butter, or even espresso powder? These bars are a great base for creativity.

Tips for the Best Blondies Every Time

To achieve bakery-quality blondies, here are a few expert tips:

• Do Not Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the bars tough.

• Let Them Cool: These blondies continue to set as they cool. Cutting them too early can cause them to fall apart.

• Use Parchment Paper: This makes it easy to lift the blondies out of the pan for clean slicing.

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and sourdough discard are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.

• Experiment with Flavors: Try mixing in toasted nuts, toffee bits, or coconut flakes to change things up.

Serving Suggestions

These blondies are best served slightly warm, allowing the chocolate chips to stay gooey and melty. Pair them with a cold glass of milk or a warm latte for a satisfying dessert or snack. They also make a wonderful treat when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a blondie sundae. If you’re making these for a crowd, consider cutting them into small squares and serving them on a dessert platter with fresh berries or whipped cream.

A Creative Way to Embrace Sourdough

Baking with sourdough discard doesn’t need to be limited to breads or savory bakes. Recipes like these Chocolate Chip Blondies show just how flexible and fun sourdough can be. It’s an ingredient that adapts beautifully across recipes, transforming what might have been waste into something truly special. For anyone looking to reduce food waste, explore new flavor depths, or simply add an edge to traditional recipes, sourdough discard is a baker’s secret weapon.

Whether you’re making these blondies for your family, gifting them to friends, or enjoying them solo on a cozy afternoon, you’ll love how effortless and delicious they are. Plus, they’ll quickly become a regular in your baking rotation, not just because they’re easy to make, but because everyone will be asking for more.

Conclusion

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Blondies are the ultimate fusion of resourceful baking and indulgent dessert-making. They transform what might otherwise be thrown away into chewy, chocolate-studded bars bursting with rich, buttery flavor and a tangy complexity that sets them apart from ordinary blondies. Whether you’re a sourdough enthusiast or just love trying new dessert recipes, this one is a must. It’s simple, adaptable, and guaranteed to satisfy any sweet craving with just the right touch of tang. Bake a batch, share a few (or not), and experience how discard can truly become the highlight of your dessert table.