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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378 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is a fantastic recipe. Itโ€™s super chocolatey without being too sweet and comes together very quickly.
    I do recommend weighing your ingredients and refrigerating overnight for tall, cakey muffins.

  2. 5 stars
    Theyโ€™re delicious! Loved them.. but the edges crisped up almost like a brownie? I did tweak the bake time tho bc I made them in a jumbo muffin pan so maybe thatโ€™s why..

    1. Hi Brianna, yes you can ferment it over night. I suggest to omit the baking soda and baking powder before fermenting and add them in right before baking.

  3. I would like to ferment the batter in the fridge before baking. I think I need to omit the baking soda and baking powder before fermenting and them in right before baking. I could not find this in the recipe and wanted to double check. I have made this recipe before (baking immediately) and it is amazing!

  4. Made these for my family and everyone loved them. Will definitely be making these again. Delicious!

    1. Hi Kelly, yes, I would bake for at least 40 minutes, check with a toothpick, and add more time if needed.

  5. I accidentally mixed everything together in hopes of letting the batter ferment for 10 hours in refrigerator. I didnโ€™t realize those were supposed to go in after the ferment. Do I have to bake right away since I already added the baking powder and soda?

  6. 5 stars
    Hey I have made this recipe before the way it is. If I want to make the muffins as mini muffins how long should I bake them for?

    1. Hi Savannah, I would bake them for 10 mins and add a few more minutes only if they need them! Check with a toothpick.