Lemon Sourdough Discard Cake
A moist and subtly tangy lemon cake made with sourdough discard, perfect for a brunch or afternoon coffee break.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup sourdough starter (discard or active; ~227 g) Stir to loosen if refrigerated.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (~100 g)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (~113 g) Can substitute 2-3 tablespoons with yogurt for a lighter cake.
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (~125 g) Can be made gluten-free with a suitable flour blend.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (~4 g) Ensure it is fresh for proper rise.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh is best) Warm briefly before adding for extra aroma.
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment for easy removal.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes with a hand mixer.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping the bowl between additions. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Mix in the sourdough starter until evenly incorporated; the batter will be slightly loose.
Mixing Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet in two additions, folding gently. Alternate with the lemon juice, and fold in the lemon zest.
- Stop mixing as soon as the flour is incorporated to avoid a dense cake.
Baking
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Serve slices plain with powdered sugar or a simple lemon glaze. Keeps fresh for days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Can be made dairy-free or vegan with appropriate substitutes.