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Sourdough Discard Coffee Cake Recipe

This cozy coffee cake turns leftover sourdough discard into a tender breakfast treat with cinnamon streusel and zero waste guilt. Mix fast, bake golden, and watch everyone suddenly appear in the kitchen.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 slices
Calories 265 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • 8x8 Baking Pan
  • Measuring cups
  • Spatula,
  • Cooling rack
  • oven

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter

  • 1 cup sourdough discard room temperature
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Streusel Topping

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup cold butter cubed

Glaze Optional

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8x8 pan for easy lifting later.
  • Whisk discard, milk, melted butter, egg, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
  • Fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt just until no dry spots remain. Do not overmix.
  • Rub brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and cold butter together until clumps form like damp sand.
  • Spread batter in pan. Scatter streusel evenly over top, covering corners so nobody riots.
  • Bake 32 to 35 minutes until center springs back and a tester comes out with moist crumbs.
  • Cool 15 minutes. Drizzle glaze if using. Slice when warm for soft pieces or fully cool for cleaner cuts.

Notes

For a softer cake, pull it when the center barely sets. For crisper edges, bake a few extra minutes. Chill slices before wrapping to freeze without condensation. If topping slides, press lightly into batter before baking. Swap nuts, chocolate chips, apples, or berries for new flavors. Store covered two days at room temperature or five days chilled.
Keyword Bristle Cookie, coffee cake, Ice Cream Cookie, Sourdough Discard