If you’re looking for a really delicious and really easy dessert to make with your sourdough discard then you’ll love this sourdough apple cake recipe!

If you’re a sourdough bread baker like me then you’ll love this recipe. This apple cake is an easy dessert that you can whip up with your sourdough discard. The sourdough discard gives this apple cake a tang that sourdough bakers can definitely appreciate it.

This recipe is a simple, sweet, and easy to bake apple cake. It goes great with a cup of hot tea or coffee. The apples really compliment the tangy sourdough flavor. If you need any other sourdough baking ideas be sure to also check out this sourdough apple crisp, sourdough apple bread, or this sourdough discard coffee cake.
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🍎Ingredients needed
For this sourdough apple cake, you will need:
- All purpose flour: The base of the cake batter.
- Sugar and brown sugar: To sweeten the cake.
- Salt: You’ll need just ½ of a teaspoon of salt.
- Baking soda: To give the cake some rise.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg: To give the cake some spice.
- Sourdough discard: You’ll want to use your unfed sourdough discard for this cake.
- Vegetable oil: To make the cake moist. You can also substitute safflower oil.
- Egg: You’ll need one large egg for this recipe.
- Vanilla extract: I recommend using pure vanilla extract, if possible.
- Chopped apples: You’ll need about one cup of chopped apples. This was about one medium apple for me. Be sure to peel your apple before chopping.
🥣 What type of pan is needed?
You will need a 9 x 9 inch pan.
🥄 How to make (step by step guide)
To make this recipe, begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Peel and chop your apple (I used one medium apple which was about one cup, chopped).
Next, in a large bowl combine your dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and brown sugar). Mix well with a large spoon.
Next, add in your wet ingredients (sourdough starter, egg, vanilla extract, and oil). Mix well with a hand or stand mixer.
Stir in the chopped apples with a large spoon. Pour the batter into a well greased 9 x 9 inch pan.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the middle.
👩🍳Tips
- I used a Gala apple but almost any baking variety will do. Pink lady, McIntosh, Granny Smith or even Opal apples all work well.
- Be sure to peel your apple before chopping.
- This cake is also great with ½ cup of nuts like pecans or walnuts added.
Other sourdough recipes that might like:
If you tried this Sourdough Apple Cake or any other recipe on my site, please leave a ⭐ rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I would love to hear from you!
Sourdough Apple Cake
Equipment
- 9 x 9 inch pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup sourdough discard unfed
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or safflower oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup apples peeled and chopped
Instructions
- To make this recipe, begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.
- Peel and chop your apple (I used one medium apple which was about one cup, chopped).
- Next, in a large bowl combine your dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and brown sugar). Mix well with a large spoon.
- Next, add in your wet ingredients (sourdough starter, egg, vanilla extract, and oil). Mix well with a hand or stand mixer.
- Stir in the chopped apples with a large spoon. Pour the batter into a well greased 9 x 9 inch pan.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the middle.
Notes
- I used a Gala apple but almost any baking variety will do. Pink lady, McIntosh, Granny Smith or even Opal apples all work well.
- Be sure to peel your apple before chopping.
- This cake is also great with ½ cup of nuts like pecans or walnuts added.
Nutrition
If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to share it or save it for later with Pinterest!
Joan Anderson says
What is sourdough discard mean? is it something I have to buy or make up myself. I dont understand this. [
please help me understand this.
Audrey says
Hi Joan,
Thanks so much for your question. Sourdough discard comes from sourdough starter which you use to make sourdough bread. If you’d like to learn how to make your own here is a how-to: https://www.twopinkpeonies.com/how-to-make-sourdough-starter/ I’ve also heard of people getting sourdough starter from friends, neighbors, or “buy nothing” groups. Please let me know if you have any more questions 🙂
denise says
Delicious! I made this with all whole wheat flour and it was delicious. My starter was whole wheat and then the cup that I added was whole wheat pastry flour.
David Kouri says
Just made this recipe. Substituted chopped up apple filling for regular apples. Delicious and good cake texture.
Sharon says
Delicious, moist! This is a keeper!
Chari says
Delicious! I used a tart green apple and walnuts, it was perfect!
Ash B says
I love this apple cake recipe! The sourdough gives it a better flavor than a classic apple cake
Sunrita says
This is such a lovely recipe and what a wonderful cake! Delicious
Leslie says
This was the perfect recipe to make for company!
Agnieszka says
Wonderful cake! Making it again for sure!
Emily Flint says
I’m always looking for ways to use up my discard, thank you!
Kara says
So delicious!
Lily says
Added pecans as well as a cinnamon nutmeg glaze — this was unbelievably yummy. Definitely going in the recipe box!
Angela says
A delicious use of sourdough starter!
Freya says
Such a delicious, comforting cake and so simple to make!