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I am always looking for ways to use my sourdough discard

I love having it on hand and using it every time I make something with flour in it!

My newest favorite treat is sourdough discard brownies

They taste so good that even my picky eaters love them!

Why are my brownies falling apart after baking?

I had a problem with my brownies sticking badly to my knife when I cut them and then they fell apart when I tried to pick them up

If you are having this issue, you cut into them too soon!

Assuming that they passed the toothpick test before you removed them from the oven

Brownies need to rest for at least 15 minutes before you cut into them

After they have cooled for a while, they will get firmer

This allows you to cut them and pick them up without them falling apart

Why do my brownies sink in after cooling?

Another common brownie issue is sinking while they cool

This can be caused by two things

The first cause is overmixing the batter

You should mix the batter until well combined, but not long after that

Another cause could be that they were slightly underdone when you removed them from the oven

Once they pass the toothpick test, keep them in the oven for 3 more minutes

Those last few minutes will do wonders for the sinking issue while cooling!

How do you make a shiny top crust?

One simple way to get the shiny crust on top of your brownies is by storing your pan in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before baking

This creates a crust on top before baking that will turn into that beautiful crust that we love to see!

Since I add frosting, I usually don’t bother with this step

Ingredients:

½ cup butter

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup cocoa powder

3 eggs

½ cup flour

½ cup sourdough discard

1 tsp Vanilla extract

½ tsp salt

Chocolate chips for topping

Optional frosting:

¼ cup melted butter

2 cups powdered sugar

⅓ cup cocoa

3 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a pan with parchment paper

I like to use a tall sided square pan

Beat the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa together in a stand mixer until fluffy

Melt the butter and chocolate chips together before adding it to the sugar mixture

Add the flour, discard, salt, and vanilla

Mix until just combined

Pour batter into prepared pan and spread with a spatula

It will be thick

Top with some chocolate chips

Bake for 45-65 minutes

You should be able to poke the brownie with a toothpick and barely get any crumbs

Once it barely passes the toothpick test, leave it in the oven for 3 more minutes

This will help prevent sinking while it cools

Cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting

Cool all the way if you want to add frosting

To make the frosting,

Add the butter, cocoa, and powdered sugar to a stand mixer

Beat with the whisk and slowly add the heavy cream

It will take about 3 tbsp to get the desired texture but you can adjust it until you are happy

Spread the frosting onto the cooled brownies, cut, and enjoy