Sourdough Apple Cake Recipe With Discard

Looking for an easy recipe to celebrate all things apple this autumn? Look no further! This Sourdough Apple Cake is the perfect way to use up that sourdough discard sitting in your fridge. Not only does it reduce food waste, but the sourdough tang beautifully complements the tart apples, making every bite a flavour-packed obsession.

Jump to:

• Why Use Sourdough To Make Fresh Apple Cake?
• Ingredients and Substitutes
• Best Apples To Use In Sourdough Cake
• Variations and Extras
• Step-By-Step Method
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage and Leftovers
• Other Sourdough Discard Recipes To Try Next Time
• Sourdough Apple Cake Recipe With Discard

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Don't want to turn the oven on, but craving a sourdough dessert with apples? Try our Slow Cooker Sourdough Apple Cobbler!

Why Use Sourdough To Make Fresh Apple Cake?

Sourdough discard is not to be discarded. Whilst it doesn't act as a leavening agent to give your bakes the rise in the oven, it has lots of benefits. So why make Sourdough Discard Apple Cake?

• It's a great way to reduce food waste (all sourdough bakers will know the pain of trying to use up all the extra sourdough discard...).
• The acidity in sourdough culture produces the most tender cake with a better texture compared to regular loaf cakes.
• Sourdough tang complements the tart apples beautifully (just like in our Sourdough Apple Fritters).
• Adding sourdough discard is a great way to prolong the shelf-life of the cake, as the good bacteria in the starter act as a mild preservative.
• Need more proof? Try our Sourdough Zucchini Bread, Sourdough Carrot Cake and extra fudgy Sourdough Chocolate Olive Oil Cake. Oh, and our new favourite - Sourdough Pineapple Upside Down Cake!

Hint: you can use active sourdough starter in this recipe! Since the cake batter doesn't go through a long fermentation process, active starter and discard work equally well!

Ingredients and Substitutes

• apples: cored, peeled and diced into small (1cm) pieces. We have lots of advice on the varieties of apples to use in the section below. You can also make it with rhubarb - or better yet, try our Sourdough Rhubarb Cake!
• cinnamon: or pumpkin spice!
• light brown sugar: or dark brown sugar. 
• caster sugar: also known as superfine sugar. White granulated sugar may also be used. 
• eggs: medium in the UK, large in the US. 
• neutral oil: we used vegetable oil (canola oil), but this apple cake works well with sunflower and avocado oil too. 
• sourdough starter discard: 100% hydration. You may also use active starter. 
• plain flour: also known as all-purpose flour. 
• salt.
• baking powder. 

Best Apples To Use In Sourdough Cake

The choice of apple variety really depends on your personal preference. If you like sweet apples, choose Pink Lady or Honey Crisp apples. 

Fancy a little more tart flavour? Try this cake with Braeburn or Granny Smith apples. 

Golden delicious apples are a great middle ground!

The best part is - you don't even need to use fresh apples. Sad-looking, wrinkle-skinned apples will do just as well in this moist sourdough cake recipe!

Variations and Extras

Make this Sourdough Apple Cake your own, and switch things up to suit your preferences. Here are some tasty suggestions:

• Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste to the cake batter. 
• Rub lemon zest in the sugar before adding eggs to release lemon oils and add deliciously fresh citrus flavour. 
• Instead of cubes, arrange the apple slices on top of the batter in a decorative manner for a visually stunning sourdough cake. 
• Change the shape! This recipe works well for sourdough apple muffins or sourdough apple bread (loaf cake), but you will need to adjust the baking time!
• Scatter some flaked almonds for both nutty flavor and added texture (make sure to cover the cake towards the end of cooking for best results, as nuts burn quickly!). 

Step-By-Step Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (340℉). Line a 24x24cm (9 in) baking tray with a sheet of parchment paper.

2. Dice the apples into 1 cm cubes. Mix them with sugar and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl and set them aside.

3. Add the white sugar and brown sugar into a separate large bowl and mix to combine.

4. Add the eggs, and using an electric handheld mixer, beat the mixture until thick and creamy.

5. Whilst whisking, in a steady stream, pour in the oil.

6. Add the sourdough discard and mix to incorporate.

7. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt. Fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients gently.

8. Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan Scatter the chopped apples in an even layer over the cake batter.

9. Place the cake in a preheated oven for 50-55 minutes until a wooden skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Check your cake after 40 minutes. If it's browning too much on top, cover it with a sheet of aluminum foil. 

10. Once baked, leave the cake to cool down to room temperature in the tin. Then lift it out holding the overhanging parchment paper, and slice it into portions!

Serving Suggestions

We love this Sourdough Discard Apple Cake with a generous dollop of creme fraiche or Greek yogurt. However, some warm custard or whipped cream are also great options. 

If you are serving your apple cake warm, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top - it's divine!

Storage and Leftovers

This Sourdough Apple Cake should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. It will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days. 

For longer storage, freeze the cake. You can freeze the whole loaf cake or wrap each individual slice in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-friendly ziplock bag. The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw the cake properly before serving (you may also warm this easy dessert up slightly in a microwave). 

Other Sourdough Discard Recipes To Try Next Time

Looking for more sourdough recipes? Try our Sourdough Rhubarb Muffins and Sourdough Plum Cake next! And you musn't miss our Apple Sourdough Galette. Here are some of our most cherished sourdough discard sweet treats: 

And if you are looking to bake with active sourdough starter, try our Sourdough Apple Pie Focaccia!