Double Chocolate Sourdough Muffins

January 18, 2023 | By Amy Duska If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

These double chocolate sourdough muffins are the best muffins you'll ever make with your sourdough starter discard.

Chock-full of chocolate chips so there's extra chocolate in every bite. They practically melt in your mouth!

The batter can be mixed and baked right away OR fermented overnight in the fridge.

They bake up just like big, bakery-style muffins that are ultra moist!

Double chocolate sourdough muffins in a muffin tin.


 

This AMAZING recipe for double chocolate sourdough muffins is a delicious way to use your unfed sourdough starter discard.

The addition of cocoa powder and chocolate chips makes them irresistible.

A sourdough recipe that's sure to become one of your favorites!

This muffin recipe makes 16 double chocolate sourdough muffins.

Because these muffins freeze great, we like to make a double batch and freeze some for later. They are easy to thaw out for a quick breakfast, snack or dessert.

What you'll need for sourdough chocolate muffins

For this recipe, we modified our sourdough banana nut muffins by removing the bananas and butter and replacing them with extra sour cream and oil to keep the muffins super moist.

We also added cocoa powder and chocolate chips for a rich deep chocolate flavor.

  • all-purpose flour
  • cocoa powder
  • baking soda
  • baking powder
  • salt
  • vegetable oil*
  • granulated sugar
  • eggs
  • sour cream*
  • milk*
  • vanilla extract
  • unfed sourdough starter discard
  • chocolate chips

Here are a few ways to modify the recipe if needed:

  • We prefer to use avocado oil for our recipes because it has a neutral flavor. Avocado oil can be replaced with either melted butter or melted coconut oil. Do not use solid coconut oil in this recipe as it will not mix into the batter evenly.
  • Sour cream can be replaced with full-fat, plain greek yogurt.
  • We use unsweetened almond milk to help thin down the batter but feel free to choose from whole milk, skim milk, or any plant-based milk.
  • Because this recipe is made with a ยฝ cup sourdough starter that hasn't been fed, it's a great way to make sure that your sourdough discard never goes to waste. But, it can also be used with a sourdough starter that is active. You will still need to use baking soda and baking powder for the muffins to rise.
  • If you like nuts, try adding a ยฝ cup of chopped pecans or chopped walnuts for a different flavor variation.
  • For the best texture, we do not recommend using whole wheat flour or bread flour.

How to make double chocolate sourdough muffins

Double chocolate sourdough muffins on a cake stand.

The batter is made without the use of a stand mixer. All you need is a few bowls, a whisk, and a spatula to mix the batter. (The recipe makes 16 muffins)

NOTE: The muffins will bake at 425ยฐF (218ยฐC) for the first 5 minutes and at 350ยฐF (176ยฐC) for the remaining 15 minutes. The initial higher temperature will help to give the muffins a bigger oven spring.

Preheat the oven to 425ยฐF (218ยฐC) and place the oven rack in the center position. Line a muffin tin with paper liners.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the AP flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set the bowl aside.

In a separate bowl mix the wet ingredients. Use a whisk to combine the oil, sugar, eggs, sour cream, milk, vanilla extract, and sourdough starter discard. Mix until the ingredients come together and are smooth.

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix the batter until it just comes together. Do not over-mix the batter.

Add the chocolate chips and stir until they are evenly distributed in the batter.

Use an ice cream scooper to fill the liners. The batter should come to the top of the liner for bigger muffins. Sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top of each one if you want even more chocolate flavor!

Bake the muffins for the first 5 minutes at 425ยฐF (218ยฐC) in the preheated oven. Lower the oven temperature to 350ยฐF (176ยฐC) and continue to bake the muffins for an additional 15-18 minutes.

A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when they are done.

Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the muffin tin or transfer them to a wire rack.

Twelve double chocolate sourdough muffins.

How to store them

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

They freeze great too! Just wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them into a freezer-safe container to avoid freezer burn. The sourdough muffins will stay fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer.

More sourdough discard recipes

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Double chocolate sourdough muffins in a muffin tin.

Double Chocolate Sourdough Muffins

These double chocolate sourdough muffins are the best muffins you'll ever make with your sourdough starter discard. Chocked full of chocolate chips so there's extra chocolate in every bite. They practically melt in your mouth!The batter can be mixed and baked right away OR fermented overnight in the fridge.
Rate this recipe!
4.99 from 290 votes
Print Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 16 muffins
Author: Amy Duska

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups (240 g) all purpose flour
  • ยฝ cup (45 g) cocoa powder (regular or dark)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
  • ยฝ cup (125 g) unfed sourdough starter
  • ยฝ cup (120 g) avocado oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ยพ cup (185 g) sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons (10 g) vanilla extract
  • ยผ cup (60 g) milk
  • 1 ยพ cups (315 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 425ยฐF (218ยฐC) and place the oven rack in the center position. Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups AP flour, ยฝ cup cocoa powder, ยฝ teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt. Set the bowl aside.
  • In a separate bowl mix the wet ingredients. Use a whisk to combine the ยฝ cup of oil, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, ยพ cup sour cream, ยผ cup milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and ยฝ cup of sourdough starter discard. Mix until the ingredients come together and are smooth.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix the batter until it just comes together. Do not over mix the batter. Add the chocolate chips and stir until they are evenly distributed in the batter.
  • Use an ice cream scooper to fill the liners. The batter should come to the top of the liner for bigger muffins. Sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top of each one if you want even more chocolate flavor!
  • Bake the muffins for the first 5 minutes at 425ยฐF (218ยฐC) in the preheated oven. Lower the oven temperature to 350ยฐF (176ยฐC) and continue to bake the muffins for an additional 15-18 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when they are done.
  • Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the muffin tin.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 202mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 117IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 3mg
4.99 from 290 votes (88 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




378 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    oh my goodness!!!! so delicious! I've been eating through my pantry so used some substitutes.
    honey vanilla Greek yogurt (Aldi) instead of sour cream- 1/2 milk chocolate chips/ 1/2 mini semi sweet - navitas organic unsweetened cocoa powder, veggie oil instead of avocado, and cane sugar
    baked as directed (15mins second time) made 18 muffins and came out fantastic! so soft and delicious. even my picky kid loved them! great way to use up some starter!

  2. 5 stars
    This muffin is amazing! We have made them 2 times and my family always ask for them again. We did change the recipe a little by adding 1 more egg and 1 tsp of cinnamon. AMAZING!

  3. 5 stars
    Such good muffins! I reduced the oil to 80 g and sugar to 120g and theyโ€™re amazing. You can really taste the sourdough. Made them same day.
    Thank you for this recipe!

  4. 5 stars
    The kids and I are OBSESSED and have been for so long with this recipe. Will they bake okay if I make them into mini muffins?

  5. I added almond pieces and marshmallows to make them โ€œRocky roadโ€ the marshmallows melted and disappeared? But they tasted delicious!

  6. 5 stars
    Hi, random question:) Why is the recipe for 16 muffins when baking trays only fit 12? Should I adjust the cooking time or just separately cook 4 muffins?

    1. Hi Nicole, yes this recipe is scaled for 16 muffins. You can cook a second batch or use two muffin trays. If you cook a second batch, check for doneness around 15 minutes and leave it in a litter longer if you need to.

  7. 5 stars
    This recipe is the bomb!! I added some sugar to it, because we like it sweeter, the results were incredible.

  8. If I want to long ferment, do I follow the instructions as written for mixing the batter or should I hold the baking soda and baking powder until Iโ€™m ready to bake?