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Save your sourdough discard, sourdough espresso cake is ideal for wasteless-ly remodeling it into a superbly candy, abundantly flavorful breakfast cake! My model is topped with a cinnamon-spiced streusel that’s simply as scrumptious as it’s straightforward (no pastry cutter wanted!).

My New Favourite Espresso Cake
Is that this sourdough espresso cake my new favourite espresso cake recipe? For now…till I give you my subsequent one (see additionally my pumpkin espresso cake, blueberry espresso cake, banana espresso cake–the listing is all the time rising!). At this time’s model has a beautiful depth of taste because of the sourdough, isn’t too candy, and has an considerable, completely spiced crumb. I imply, simply have a look at it! You want to do that one.
Why This Recipe WORKS
- Sourdough discard contributes moisture, depth, and a refined tang. It provides complexity with out making the cake style bitter like sourdough bread.
- Utilizing melted butter ensures the streusel is simple peasy with completely no want for a pastry cutter (I don’t learn about you, however I keep away from mine in any respect prices… why do I hate it a lot?).
- Good for last-minute get-togethers! It takes simply 25 minutes to prep and is such a crowd-pleaser–who doesn’t love comfortable cake with a spiced streusel topping?!
- Equally suited to breakfast or dessert! It’s the *excellent* pairing for a cup of espresso, although I’d recommend decaf for those who’re having fun with for dessert 😉
Substances
Just a few pantry fundamentals–I’ll go over just a few earlier than we get began!

- Sourdough discard. Use unfed, room temperature discard from the identical day you discarded. Any older and it might have an effect on the flavour/texture (you’d in all probability be OK for those who discarded yesterday and refrigerated, so 48 hours if refrigerated).
- Brown sugar. Solely granulated sugar is used within the cake itself (helps hold the crumb lighter and I simply discovered it to work greatest), however a contact of sunshine brown sugar provides a pleasant refined accent to the streusel topping.
- Bitter cream. Even for those who don’t like bitter cream, add it! I promise you received’t style it within the remaining product, however you’ll respect how a lot moisture and depth of taste it provides to the cake. Full fats, plain Greek yogurt would in all probability work too, however I discover it doesn’t add fairly as a lot depth.
- Cinnamon. We’ll add a full tablespoon to our streusel for a superbly spiced taste. Notice that we aren’t including a cinnamon swirl to this espresso cake like we do with my traditional espresso cake recipe, so all of the cinnamon taste is coming from the topping.
- Unsalted butter. You’ll need this softened for the cake itself and melted (then cooled) for the streusel topping. Should you solely have salted butter, cut back the salt within the cake to ½ teaspoon and skip it solely within the crumb topping.
Bear in mind, that is simply an summary of the elements I used and why. For the complete recipe please scroll all the way down to the underside of the put up!
SAM’S TIP: If you wish to use lively starter, you’ll be able to, simply stir it down first. One factor to notice: starter received’t give the identical depth of taste as discard.
Learn how to Make Sourdough Espresso Cake

Begin by creaming the butter and sugar with an electrical mixer till very nicely mixed, about 2-3 minutes on excessive velocity. It ought to be lightened in colour and fluffy once you’re accomplished, this helps give the cake the right fluffy crumb. Add the eggs and remaining moist elements, then set this apart whilst you mix your dry elements in a separate bowl.
Gently fold the flour combination into the moist elements utilizing a spatula. Watch out to not over-mix at this level!
Unfold the batter right into a greased metallic baking pan and put aside whilst you prep the streusel.

Whisk collectively the flour, sugars, cinnamon and salt, then pour within the cooled melted butter. Toss every little thing along with a fork till every little thing is mixed and crumbly, being cautious to not go too far otherwise you’ll create an unusable paste.
Sprinkle the streusel over your ready cake batter, then bake till a toothpick comes out clear or with moist crumbs. Should you’d like, you’ll be able to drizzle a glaze excessive of your cooled sourdough espresso cake (included within the recipe under!), but it surely’s additionally nice with a dusting of powdered sugar.
SAM’S TIP: Let the cake cool for a bit earlier than including your glaze or powdered sugar; in any other case, it should simply soften on the cake (which is… high-quality, however not as fairly).

Regularly Requested Questions
Sure, simply combine collectively 1/4 cup (50g) sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons floor cinnamon. Layer half the batter into the pan, sprinkle the cinnamon/sugar in a fair layer, then dollop the remaining batter overtop and unfold it clean (not tremendous straightforward to do, however don’t panic if it will get a bit messy, it’ll be high-quality.
Sourdough discard isn’t one thing you should purchase in a retailer; it’s a byproduct of sustaining a sourdough starter. If you wish to begin your sourdough journey, try my put up on the right way to make a sourdough starter.
Should you aren’t prepared for all that proper now, I’d merely suggest you make my bitter cream espresso cake as a substitute.

Extra Sourdough Discard Recipes
Looking for more sourdough recipes? I have a full collection of sourdough recipes to make with your sourdough starter & discard.
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! Subscribe to my newsletter to be notified of all the newest recipes, and find my free recipe tutorials on YouTube 💜
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Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a 9×9” (23x23cm) metal baking pan with butter or shortening. Set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together butter and sugar very well, until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes on high speed).
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
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Add egg and beat again until completely combined.
1 large egg
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Add sour cream, sourdough discard, and vanilla extract and stir together until thoroughly combined.
½ cup (120 g) sour cream, ½ cup (110 g) sourdough discard, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon table salt
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Use a spatula to gradually fold the dry ingredients into wet until completely combined.
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Pour batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and set aside while you prepare the topping.
Topping
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Place butter in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave until butter is just melted (you do not want it to be too hot). Allow butter to cool while you prepare the rest of your ingredients.
6 Tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter
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In a separate, medium-sized bowl, use a fork to stir together flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt.
1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 2 Tablespoons (25 g) light brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon table salt
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Pour (cooled) butter over the mixture and use a fork to toss/claw together the ingredients until all ingredients are moistened and combined (the mixture should be crumbly, don’t overdo it or it will be pasty).
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Evenly sprinkle the streusel topping over the batter. Transfer to preheated 350F (175C) oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Allow cake to cool at least slightly before drizzling with glaze, if desired.
Glaze
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In a small bowl, whisk together sugar and milk until smooth.
2-3 teaspoons milk, ½ cup (65 g) powdered sugar
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Drizzle over the top of cooled (or somewhat cooled) cake. Slice and enjoy!
Storing
Cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 255mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 494IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

