Small-Batch Sourdough Chocolate Chip Blondies

My small-batch sourdough chocolate chip blondies are irresistible! My husband and I can eat an entire pan at once, but that’s okay because it’s just enough for 2 people! Think of a chocolate chip cookie mixed with a fudgy brownie; that’s what these little treats taste like.

They’re made with wholesome ingredients like sourdough discard and simple steps, so you can whip them up in a hurry! Plus, they’re baked in a cake pan, which makes them more fun! This recipe includes a video tutorial so you can make it alongside me, step-by-step!

This post may contain affiliate links of items I know and love. Read our disclosure policy for more information. I NEVER use AI (artificial intelligence) to create content for Plum Branch Home. Recipes, blog posts, photos, videos, podcasts, social media content: everything is made from scratch by me, Molly LaFontaine. After developing my recipes, they’re tested 2x by my husband, Tyler, and I before publishing. What you see from Plum Branch Home is real. It’s made for a reason, tested, and loved!

If you want to make this recipe but don’t have a sourdough starter, no worries! Grab my free guide so you can make your own starter at home.

If you’re new to sourdough baking and feel hesitant, or you have questions, I’ve got something for you! I broke down the basics of what you need to know about sourdough baking in my free sourdough baking guide for beginners. I highly recommend grabbing a copy!

Inspiration Behind My Sourdough Chocolate Chip Blondie Recipe

Story time! When I was about 7 or 8 years old, my mom and I were at the library checking out books for the summer. (I always got to go over to the adult section to grab cookbooks. I felt so sophisticated haha!)

I remember opening one particular cookbook and immediately saw a recipe for blondies. At that point, I had never heard of them. So I began reading the recipe from start to finish and asked my mom if we could make them.

We got home and whipped up a batch, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I felt like I had stumbled upon a hidden gem! 

After that, I was obsessed with trying new, unique treats. I still am! Which is what led me to create my own version many years later using sourdough!

What is a Blondie?

The best way to describe a blondie is if a fudgy brownie and a soft chocolate chip cookie were mixed together. That’s a blondie!

It’s got a soft, chewy texture with chocolate chips, vanilla, and brown sugar. The flavors pair perfectly together!

Many people think, including myself when I first learned about blondies, that they are chocolate chip cookie bars. But they aren’t! They’re like a chocolate chip cookie but with a brownie texture. They really are amazing!

Why You’ll Love My Soft Chocolate Chip Blondies

• 20-Minute Sourdough Dessert: These blondies only take 5 minutes to whip up and 16 minutes to bake. They’re so quick!
• Soft & Chewy Texture: Just like a good blondie should be, they’re soft and chewy. The perfect texture!
• Made from Scratch: They’re made from scratch using simple ingredients.
• No Electric Mixer, Just a Whisk: The steps are quick and easy. No need to pull out your electric mixer!
• Great Way to Use Sourdough Discard: It’s the perfect recipe to use discard.
• Baked in a Cake Pan: You don’t need a fancy pan, just a 9-inch metal cake pan. It makes them more fun!
• Optional Long Ferment: If you prefer, you can long ferment the dough to get more fermentation benefits! The instructions are all on the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Why Make Blondies with Sourdough

When you make blondies with sourdough, you get fermentation benefits from the sourdough starter’s cultures. If you cold ferment the dough in the fridge for 12-24 hours before baking, those cultures ferment the other ingredients. This long fermentation is optional but adds even more fermentation benefits!

Best Chocolate Chips for Blondies

I recommend and like to use semi-sweet chocolate chips. They balance out the sweetness so that it’s not too much. But you’re more than welcome to use dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips.

Also, for a more wholesome option, I recommend finding organic chocolate chips or a brand with good ingredients. This isn’t always an option for our budget, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind!

Molly’s Tips for Soft Chewy Chocolate Chip Blondies

1. Do Not Over-mix: You do not want to over-mix your blondie batter. This will create a denser texture, which is not what you want. Just stir everything until combined.
2. Do Not Over Bake: The best way to ruin blondies is to over bake them. You’ll get a cake-like texture instead of a fudgy soft one.
3. Patiently Spread the Dough: Even if it doesn’t look like it will cover the pan, it will! Just be patient and spread the dough to the edges. You want an even layer for the best outcome.

Ingredients You’ll Need (with notes)

Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for measurements.

• salted butter: salted butter works the best for this recipe
• light brown sugar: I like to use a brown cane sugar; you can find it at Walmart
• egg: a large egg works great
• pure vanilla extract: use pure extract instead of imitation
• sea salt: I like using sea salt, but you can use any kind
• sourdough discard: discard works great, but you can also use fed starter; you just don’t need to let anything rise
• baking powder: this helps the blondies rise a little during the baking process for an amazing texture
• all-purpose flour: I use an organic, unbleached
• semisweet chocolate chips: these are the best for blondies

Helpful Kitchen Tools for this Recipe

This section contains Amazon affiliate links to items I use and love for this recipe.

• stainless steel round cake pan (8-9 inch)
• mixing bowl
• whisk

How to Make Sourdough Chocolate Chip Blondies

Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for the full written recipe.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 8 or 9-inch round cake pan. Set it aside.

In a mixing bowl, add melted butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, salt, sourdough discard, and baking powder (wait to add baking powder if you’re doing the optional cold ferment step below). Whisk to combine.

Add in flour and chocolate chips. Whisk just until evenly combined, don’t overmix! (The texture should be like a soft cookie dough.)

Optional – At this point you can either continue the recipe or place the batter covered in the fridge for 12-24 hours to long ferment for more sourdough fermentation benefits. When you’re ready to continue the recipe stir in the baking powder just before baking.

Place dough into the prepared cake pan. Then use a spoon or spatula to spread the dough out to the edges. Make sure it fills the entire pan. It will be a thin, even layer.

Bake on 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 16-18 minutes. (I recommend pulling them out at 16 minutes but if you want them less gooey do 18). IMPORTANT: They are done when the top is just set and the edges are a little golden brown.

Let blondies cool for at least 5-10 minutes before removing from the pan or cutting into them. They need time to set up. If you want them less gooey, let them cool completely. Enjoy!

Video Tutorial

Fun Ways to Serve Sourdough Discard Blondies

Sourdough blondies can be served for many occasions, including random snacking. Here are a few fun ideas:

• when you have guests over
• packed in lunch boxes
• served with tea
• served with coffee
• at a party, gathering, or shower
• for a potluck
• for an at-home date night treat
• for a snack while watching a movie

Best Way to Store Blondies to Keep Them Soft and Chewy

I recommend storing them in a glass, airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You can place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers stacked in the container.

Freezing and Thawing Instructions

To Freeze: If you can’t eat them within 2-3 days or you want to make a batch ahead, place them in a glass, freezer-safe container. You’ll want to make sure parchment paper is placed between stacked layers. They’ll last for up to 3 months in your freezer.

To Thaw: Simply set the blondies on the counter and thaw overnight. They’ll be ready to go in the morning.

Things You Can Add to Blondies

These blondies are perfect just the way they are, but if you want to add a little something special, here are a few ideas:

• chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, pistachios)
• dried fruit (cranberries, etc.)
• multiple kinds of chocolate chips (milk, dark, white, butterscotch)
• almond extract (for a little extra flavor)

Frequently Asked Questions

More Sourdough Discard Sweet Recipes to Try

If you’re looking for more easy sourdough discard dessert recipes, try a few of these:

• Sourdough Graham Crackers (Better Than Store Bought!)
• Sourdough Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins
• Sourdough Angel Food Cake (half-batch recipe)
• Sourdough Derby Pie Scones (chocolate chip walnut scones)
• Sourdough Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Sourdough Lemon Scones

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