Sourdough Discard Lemon Cake Recipe

Sourdough Discard Lemon Cake Recipe

If you’re a sourdough baker, you know the bittersweet feeling of discard. That leftover starter can pile up quickly, and while it feels wasteful to throw it away, it’s not always easy to figure out how to use it. That’s where this Sourdough Discard Lemon Cake comes in a recipe that transforms your discard into something extraordinary.

This cake is everything you want in a weekend bake: soft, moist, and bursting with the bright, zesty flavor of lemon. The sourdough discard not only helps reduce waste but also adds a subtle tang that perfectly balances the sweetness of the cake. Paired with a drizzle of lemon glaze, it’s a dessert (or even breakfast treat) that feels like sunshine on a plate.

Why You’ll Love This Cake

• Zero Waste Baking – A delicious way to use your sourdough discard.
• Moist & Tender Texture – Thanks to the discard and yogurt (or sour cream).
• Bright Lemon Flavour – Fresh lemon juice and zest make it vibrant and refreshing.
• Simple Pantry Ingredients – Nothing fancy, just what you likely already have at home.
• Versatile – Perfect as a snack, dessert, or even paired with tea or coffee.

Step-by-Step: How It Comes Together

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar – Light and fluffy, this step creates the perfect cake base.
2. Add Eggs and Discard – The sourdough discard mixes in seamlessly, adding depth without overwhelming flavour.
3. Mix in Lemon and Yogurt – Fresh lemon zest and juice make the flavour pop, while yogurt keeps it moist.
4. Fold in Dry Ingredients – A quick stir ensures the batter is ready to bake.
5. Bake and Glaze – The cake bakes golden, and then a drizzle of lemon glaze adds shine and tang.

Sourdough Discard Lemon Cake Recipe Card

Servings: 10–12 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 g) sourdough discard (unfed, room temperature)
• ½ cup (120 g) plain yogurt or sour cream
• ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt

For the Lemon Glaze:

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan (or line with parchment paper).
2. Cream Butter and Sugar
   • In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add Wet Ingredients
   • Mix in eggs one at a time, then stir in sourdough discard, yogurt, lemon juice, and zest until smooth.
4. Add Dry Ingredients
   • In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   • Gently fold dry mixture into the wet batter until just combined.
5. Bake
   • Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
6. Glaze the Cake
   • Let cake cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan.
   • Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth, then drizzle over the warm cake.

Final Thoughts

The Sourdough Discard Lemon Cake is the kind of recipe that turns a simple kitchen staple into something extraordinary. With its tangy citrus flavour, tender crumb, and irresistible glaze, it’s a cake you’ll want to bake again and again.

Not only does it make use of that leftover discard, but it also fills your kitchen with the scent of fresh lemons a fragrance that feels like pure comfort.

So next time you refresh your starter, don’t throw away that discard. Instead, turn it into this bright and cheerful lemon cake that the whole family will love.