Sourdough Cosmic Chocolate Brownies (Printable)
Fudgy chocolate brownies with sourdough tang and a colorful sprinkle topping for a playful, decadent finish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Wet Ingredients
01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 7 oz dark chocolate, chopped
03 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp light brown sugar
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
07 - 1/2 cup active sourdough starter (100% hydration, unfed or discard works)
→ Dry Ingredients
08 - 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
09 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
10 - 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
→ Cosmic Topping
11 - 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips or candy-coated chocolate pieces
12 - 3 tbsp rainbow sprinkles
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
02 - In a heatproof bowl, melt the butter and dark chocolate together over a double boiler or in the microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Let the mixture cool slightly.
03 - Whisk both sugars into the melted chocolate mixture until smooth and glossy. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
04 - Gently fold the sourdough starter into the batter until fully incorporated and no streaks remain.
05 - Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Fold the dry mixture into the wet batter gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender.
06 - Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Scatter the mini chocolate chips or candy pieces over the surface, then finish with a generous layer of rainbow sprinkles.
07 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it. For a fudgier texture, lean toward the shorter bake time.
08 - Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment overhang and cutting into 16 squares.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- That sourdough tang cuts through the richness in a way that makes each brownie dangerously easy to eat three of without realizing it.
- The cosmic topping turns an already stunning brownie into something joyful enough to serve at any celebration, no decoration skills required.
02 -
- Underbaking slightly is the entire secret to a fudgy center, so pull them out when the toothpick has moist crumbs clinging to it.
- The sourdough flavor is subtle and does not taste sour at all once baked, so even skeptical eaters will not guess it is there.
03 -
- Use a scale for every ingredient because precision is the real difference between good brownies and unforgettable ones.
- Let the melted chocolate cool for a few minutes before adding eggs so you never end up with accidental chocolate scrambled eggs.