Follow these easy steps carefully. Each step is written in simple English so that even if you are new to baking, you can make these brownies with confidence.
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Take a square baking pan about eight inches wide. Grease it with a little butter or line it with parchment paper so that the brownies do not stick. Preheat your oven to 175 degrees Celsius which is around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes sure your oven is hot and ready when you are done mixing.
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Chocolate
In a medium heatproof bowl, add the butter and chopped dark chocolate. Place the bowl over a pot of hot water or microwave it in short intervals of 20 seconds. Stir after each interval until everything melts smoothly. The mixture should look glossy and thick. Set it aside for a few minutes to cool slightly.
Step 3: Mix in the Sugars
Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the melted butter and chocolate mixture. Stir well with a whisk or spoon until combined. The mixture will look a bit grainy at this stage, but that is normal. Mixing both sugars helps your brownies stay moist and gives them a rich caramel-like taste.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract
Now add two eggs one at a time. Mix well after each egg until the batter becomes smooth and shiny. Add the vanilla extract and mix again. You will notice the texture turning thick and glossy. This is a sign that the sugars are dissolving properly into the mixture.
Step 5: Add Sourdough Discard
Next, add the sourdough discard to the bowl. Stir it gently into the batter until it blends completely. The discard adds a slight tangy flavor and helps create a soft chewy texture. It also gives the brownies a beautiful deep taste that makes them stand out.
Step 6: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, instant coffee, and salt. Sifting removes any lumps and makes the mixture lighter. Then, gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix. Stir just until you no longer see dry flour. Overmixing can make your brownies tough instead of soft.
Step 7: Add Extra Chocolate or Nuts
If you want extra chocolatey brownies, now is the time to fold in some chocolate chunks or chips. You can also add nuts for crunch. Mix them gently so that they spread evenly through the batter.
Step 8: Pour and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly with a spatula so it bakes uniformly. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. Check after 25 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the center. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, your brownies are ready. If it comes out wet with batter, bake for a few more minutes.
Step 9: Cool Before Cutting
Take the pan out of the oven and let the brownies cool completely in the pan. This step is very important because the brownies continue to cook as they cool. Cutting them too soon can make them fall apart. Once cooled, lift them out of the pan and cut them into neat squares.
Step 10: Enjoy
Your sourdough discard brownies are now ready to eat. They taste amazing on their own, but you can also serve them with ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days. You can even freeze them for longer storage.
Why This Recipe Is Special
This recipe is special because it combines two beautiful worlds — the art of sourdough baking and the comfort of chocolate brownies. It is a creative way to use your sourdough discard that would otherwise go to waste. Instead of throwing it away, you turn it into a delicious dessert that everyone loves.
The sourdough discard adds a unique flavor that regular brownies do not have. It gives a slight tang that enhances the chocolate flavor and makes it more intense. The texture becomes rich, fudgy, and perfectly moist. You do not taste strong sourness, but you can feel the depth it brings to the sweetness.
There are also some health benefits. Sourdough discard contains natural yeast and beneficial bacteria that may help with digestion. Using sourdough discard in baking can make the recipe easier on your stomach compared to using plain flour alone. While these brownies are still a dessert, they are a more wholesome version of the classic treat.
Another reason why this recipe is special is that it makes baking more sustainable. Instead of wasting the leftover starter from your sourdough, you give it a new life. It is a small step that helps reduce kitchen waste while giving you something tasty in return.
