Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (2024)

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This quick and easy sourdough discard mug cake can be made in under 10 minutes. It's a sourdough microwave mini cake of sorts and is perfect for a fast dessert or even a little mid morning treat with hot coffee for us chocolate lovers!

A speedy take on sourdough chocolate cake, you can make this egg free sourdough starter discard mug cake using any milk you like (even plant based milk so you can make it vegan). It uses simple ingredients you're bound to have in your pantry to create a delicious dessert with the most amazing texture.

Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this sourdough mug cake recipe will become your go to way to use up your sourdough discard.

If you love quick sourdough recipes, you're going to love these no wait sourdough waffles and these chocolate chunk sourdough muffins. You might also like to peruse these 60+ sourdough discard recipes for even more inspiration.

Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (1)

Using Sourdough Discard in a Cake

This little sourdough mug cake utilises 40g of sourdough discard per serve. You can of course use active sourdough starter if you have a bit on hand (sometimes I do this if I have a bit leftover from making sourdough bread or sourdough pizza crust).

While this cake uses sourdough discard, you don't want to use sourdough discard that's been sitting around too long and is too sour as it will overpower the flavor of this chocolate cake. I recommend using "fresh" sourdough discard that hasn't been sitting more than 24 hours - but just give yours a sniff if it's a little older and judge it for yourself.

How To Make Sourdough Discard Mug Cake

This sourdough microwave mini cake could not be easier to pull together! You don't even need a bowl - you can mix it all in the mug (although if you are making two or more, I do find it easier to mix it in a bowl and then add the cake batter to the mugs before cooking).

I love that there are so many ways to personalise this easy recipe - from adding raspberry jam or peanut butter to stirring through white chocolate chips or even fresh raspberries. I've put some lovely recipe variations further down - there's sure to be one that takes your fancy!

I've used a 400ml or 13.5oz mug.

  1. Add all the dry ingredients to your mug and mix until well combined.
  2. Now add the milk, oil, sourdough starter and vanilla extract (if using) to the dry ingredients and mix really well until it forms a glossy cake batter. So you are adding all of the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.
  3. Add a teaspoon of peanut butter or raspberry jam to the top of the cake batter and push down until it's covered.
  4. Place the mug in the microwave for 2 minutes on high power. The sourdough mug cake is done when the cake has risen and is firm to the touch. Please be careful as it will be extremely hot when taking out of the microwave.
  5. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with vanilla ice cream or double cream.
Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (2)
Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (3)
Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (4)

Ingredient Notes

  • All purpose flour works best in this recipe. You can substitute self rising flour if you wish (just leave out the baking powder if you do this or it will overflow in the microwave).
  • You can use any type of sugar you like. I've used white granulated sugar in developing this recipe, but brown sugar, coconut sugar or even maple syrup works well.
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder works best, but this recipe will also work with raw cacao or Dutch processed cocoa.
  • I've used whole milk however this recipe works with any milk, including plant based milk. It's also egg free, so using plant based milk will give you a vegan sourdough mug cake.
  • I've used vegetable oil in this recipe however you can use any light flavored oil you have on hand - just nothing with too strong a flavor or it will ruin the flavor of the cake. Coconut oil works really well with the chocolate flavors in this cake.
Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (5)

Flavor Variations for Sourdough Discard Mug Cake

Now this recipe tastes amazing as it is, however, there are lots of things you can add to it to make it taste next level good and enjoy it in different ways:

  • A few tablespoons of chocolate chips (whether white chocolate, semi sweet - whatever you fancy). Just stir them in with the wet ingredients.
  • For a take on a chocolate lava cake, push a few squares of your favorite chocolate into the centre of the cake batter before you cook it. This is a perfect Valentine's Day treat to share with the one you love.
  • Use a teaspoon of your favorite flavor jam - raspberry, strawberry, blueberry all work really well.
  • For a caramel twist, add some caramel sauce to the cake batter just before cooking or add a couple of caramel lollies and push them into the batter.
  • Sprinkle the cooked cake with grated chocolate before enjoying.

Can You Store This Sourdough Mug Cake?

I recommend cooking and eating this sourdough mug cake straight away. The texture can become a bit stodgy if it's left and eaten later, so I don't recommend storing it to eat the next day. The small portions sizes mean it's the perfect size for dessert - with no leftovers or food waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to make this recipe in a mug?

No! You can of course use a bowl or any microwave safe container you prefer. A mug does make it easy to remove from the microwave because of the handle.

Can I bake this recipe in the oven rather than cook it in the microwave?

Yes you can cook this recipe in the oven. Use oven safe ramekins or mini cake tins and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 160C (320F) or until a skewer comes out clean. The cakes will get more of a crunchy top when baked in the oven, but the underneath will still be moist like the microwave version.

Does this recipe work without egg?

Yes this sourdough mug cake has a great flavor and texture without egg. Using the sourdough starter gives the cake a rich, velvety texture. It's also really handy if you can't have eggs, or don't have any on hand, but still want cake!

Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (6)

Sourdough Discard Mug Cake

This quick and easy sourdough discard chocolate mug make is perfect for a quick dessert or a little mid morning treat. Add some jam or peanut butter to amp up the flavor!

3.78 from 76 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 7 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 1 person

Calories 294 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Microwave Safe Mug (400ml or 13.5oz capacity)

Ingredients

  • 25 g All Purpose Flour
  • 10 g Cocoa Powder
  • 25 g Sugar
  • 3 g Baking Powder
  • pinch Salt
  • 40 g Sourdough Starter (discard - not too sour)
  • 35 g Milk (any milk you like dairy or plant based)
  • 20 g Vegetable Oil
  • ½ tsp Vanilla Extract (optional)
  • 1 tsp Raspberry Jam (optional) (peanut butter or caramel sauce work well too)

Instructions

  • Add all the dry ingredients to your mug and mix until well combined.

  • Now add the milk, oil, sourdough starter and vanilla extract (if using) to the dry ingredients and mix really well until it forms a glossy cake batter.

  • Add a teaspoon of peanut butter or raspberry jam to the top of the cake batter and push down until it's covered.

  • Place the mug in the microwave for 2 minutes on high power. The sourdough mug cake is done when the cake has risen and is firm to the touch. Please be careful as it will be extremely hot when taking out of the microwave.

  • Serve with vanilla ice cream or double cream.

Notes

Sourdough Discard - I have used sourdough discard that is "fresh" and not more than 24 hours old. I don't recommend using old discard for this recipe as the sourness can really overpower this cake.

Flavor additions - you can choose to leave out the raspberry jam or you could use caramel or chocolate sauce, different flavored jams, peanut butter or even a few squares of your favorite chocolate. You can also stir through dried fruit, nuts, chocolate chips or even m&ms! Yum!

Milk - you can use any milk you like. I've made this with whole milk but non dairy, plant based milks are also fine.

Mug Size - I made this recipe in a mug that holds 400mls or 13.5 oz. This was the perfect size as the cake cooked with room left in the mug for a big scoop of ice cream. You can easily double this recipe - I double the ingredients and mix in a small bowl before transferring to two mugs.

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 7gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 337mgPotassium: 241mgFiber: 5gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 57IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 238mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Sourdough Discard

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (8)Stella Lim

    I don’t have baking power, can I use baking soda? If yes, what qty should I use? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (9)The Pantry Mama

      no it needs to be baking powder 🙂

      Reply

  2. Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (10)Susan

    We have no microwave. Can this me done in oven?

    Reply

    • Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (11)The Pantry Mama

      Yes there are instructions for the oven in the post x

      Reply

  3. Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (12)Giulie

    Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (13)
    The texture was light and delicious. Because the recipe was for one mug cake, I doubled it. Unfortunately I must have used a mug that was not large enough (thought it was), so the first one I did overflowed. I transferred the second one into a jumbo-sized mug and that worked out fine.
    I think if I do this again, I will use this recipe to make two mug cakes and that would be PLENTY of cake. I recommend adding chocolate chips and the raspberry jam - otherwise it's a very plain chocolate cake.
    Thank you!

    Reply

  4. Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (14)Sharon Quick

    Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (15)
    Tried this tonight in a 14oz wider base mug; I microwaved 1:50 at power level 8 and it was perfect consistency. I think I would add 50pct more sugar though 🤪

    Reply

  5. Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (16)Vickie

    I really struggle with the conversion from grams to oz/cups. Any suggestions? I know some sites have converters built in. Would you ever consider this? I love your recipes but I have not successfully made one yet.

    Reply

    • Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (17)The Pantry Mama

      It's really important to weigh ingredients rather than use volume measures like cups. I highly recommend getting a scale and giving it a try. You'll find that your baking is much more accurate and you'll have better success 🙂 You can see why it's so important to weigh ingredients here.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Sourdough Discard Mug Cake [quick sourdough recipe] (2024)

FAQs

Can you use sourdough discard immediately? ›

You can store sourdough discard in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It's fine to leave it on the counter for up 24 hours, however if you aren't planning to use it straight away it's always better to store it in the fridge. You can continue to add sourdough starter from different days to the same jar.

What is the difference between sourdough bread and sourdough discard bread? ›

Sourdough bread relies on the wild yeast in active sourdough starter to give the bread its rise, whereas sourdough discard bread uses discard and relies on commercial yeast.

Can I bake with cold sourdough discard? ›

You can utilize a cold starter in any sourdough discard recipe. These recipes don't require a sourdough starter for leavening, so you can use your starter directly from the fridge. These recipes offer a fantastic solution for using excess sourdough.

Can you add sourdough discard to cake mix? ›

The sourdough starter discard doesn't bring any sourness to this classic cake, but I like including it because the mixture results in a tenderer crumb thanks to the well-fermented flour. Plus, it's a way to use flour and water that would normally go into the compost.

Can I use sourdough discard straight from fridge? ›

Yes you can use sourdough discard straight from the fridge, you don't need to let it come to room temperature if you don't want to. What is this? If you are using it straight from the fridge it may be a little stiff or thick, so you'll need to ensure you mix it really well.

How soon can you bake with sourdough discard? ›

When you are ready to bake, remove the discard from the fridge and let it come to room temperature. I recommend keeping sourdough discard for up to one week. If needed, mark the date on the container in your refrigerator.

What happens if I forgot to discard starter before feeding? ›

If you didn't discard a portion of your starter each time you feed it, two things would happen: Your starter would grow to an enormous, unmanageable size. Your starter would likely become more and more inhospitable to the bacteria and yeast we want as the mixture would become ever more acidic.

Does sourdough discard go bad? ›

You can store mature sourdough discard in the refrigerator indefinitely. As long as there is no mold, it is good to use. It may develop a grayish liquid on top called “hooch” which can be poured off before use or stirred in. If you stir it in, the flavor will become more sour.

What happens if you bake sourdough discard? ›

Instead of throwing away (or composting) your excess sourdough starter during the feeding process, bake with it! Unlock the power of sourdough discard to both enhance your bakes with a subtle tang and make the most of those leftovers.

Can I leave sourdough discard out overnight? ›

I left my sourdough discard out at room temperature for a few days. Is it okay? As long as your kitchen isn't too warm (I'd say 78°F or higher) your starter/discard will be fine stored at room temperature for at least a few days without feeding. The flavor will get more acidic the longer it sits.

How long is sourdough discard usable? ›

Sourdough discard will last indefinitely when stored in the fridge, but the longer it sits, the sourer it becomes. Therefore, I like to use my discard within 2 weeks.

Can I use sourdough starter that has fallen? ›

If your starter is well past peak (a few hours) and visibly falling, you can give it a “refresh” feeding to reactivate it.

What is a nanala cake? ›

Picture this: soft layers of sponge cake infused with fragrant flavors, sandwiched between velvety buttercream, all topped with delicate decorations that tell a story of tradition and family heritage. Welcome to the world of Nanalan Cakes, where every bite is a celebration of generations past and present.

Why don t you mix dump cakes? ›

Layering ingredients instead of mixing them might look silly and feel counter-productive, but it's the trick to ensuring a crusty, crumbly, buttery top, and a gooey interior. For example, when a recipe calls for sprinkling the dry cake mix over the wet filling, do not mix it.

Can I gift my sourdough discard? ›

Yes, you can give your friend a portion of sourdough discard to start their own sourdough starter, however it's best if your starter is mature (at least 3 months old) when you do this, so that your friend can start baking straight away.

Can I bake with my first sourdough discard? ›

You can always use this discard by directly mixing it into a dough for baking. Your discard, as long as it's in good shape, will leaven any bread dough just as well. The discard is just like a levain you would make for a recipe. The only difference is it's the same makeup as your starter.

What happens if you use sourdough starter too early? ›

The longer it's been since a starter has been fed the more off flavours and gluten breakdown. It is fine to use un-fed starter however if you use too much starter that hasn't been fed for a while then the resulting bread won't taste as nice and won't rise as much.

How long can sourdough starter discard sit out? ›

I left my sourdough discard out at room temperature for a few days. Is it okay? As long as your kitchen isn't too warm (I'd say 78°F or higher) your starter/discard will be fine stored at room temperature for at least a few days without feeding. The flavor will get more acidic the longer it sits.

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