Chocolate Sourdough Cake with Homemade Buttercream

Chocolate Sourdough Cake with Homemade Buttercream

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Chocolate Sourdough Cake (Sorceress Edition)

Deep chocolate flavor, tender crumb, and a whisper of espresso magic

This Chocolate Sourdough Cake is my Sorceress Edition—a rich, cozy, deeply chocolatey cake that feels special without being fussy. It’s made with sourdough discard (or chocolate sourdough starter) and finished with a homemade chocolate buttercream that’s meant to look hand-spread, imperfect, and absolutely irresistible.

The secret ingredient?
A touch of espresso powder.

You won’t taste coffee, but you will notice how much deeper and more intense the chocolate flavor becomes. This is one of those quiet baking tricks that makes people pause after the first bite and say, “What is in this?”

This cake is pure sourdough sorcery.

Why Sourdough Works So Well in Chocolate Cake

Sourdough discard is a beautiful addition to chocolate desserts because it:

  • Adds moisture without heaviness
  • Creates a soft, tender crumb
  • Enhances chocolate flavor naturally
  • Reduces waste in your sourdough kitchen

And no — this cake does not taste sour. The cocoa, sugar, and espresso powder work together to create balance and depth.

The Role of Espresso Powder (Sorceress Tip ✨)

Espresso powder doesn’t make this a mocha cake. Instead, it intensifies the cocoa, making the chocolate taste richer and more complex. Think of it as turning the volume up on chocolate — not adding a new flavor.

If you bake chocolate desserts often, this is a pantry staple worth keeping.

Chocolate Sourdough Cake Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 190 g all-purpose flour (1 ½ cups)
  • 200 g granulated sugar (1 cup)
  • 100 g light brown sugar (½ cup)
  • 75 g unsweetened cocoa powder (¾ cup)
  • 10 g baking soda (2 tsp)
  • 5 g baking powder (1 tsp)
  • 5 g fine sea salt (1 tsp)
  • ½ tsp espresso powder

Wet Ingredients

How to Make Chocolate Sourdough Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients, making sure the espresso powder is evenly distributed.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk oil, eggs, vanilla, sourdough discard, sour cream, and buttermilk until smooth.
  5. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix just until combined.
  6. Slowly pour in the hot coffee, mixing gently until the batter becomes glossy and uniform.
  7. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake 12–18 minutes, until the cake springs back lightly or a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Cool completely before frosting.

Homemade Chocolate Buttercream

This frosting is intentionally rustic and human — soft swirls, gentle spatula marks, and rich chocolate flavor.

Ingredients

  • 285 g unsalted butter, softened (1 ¼ cups)
  • 360 g powdered sugar (3 cups)
  • 75 g cocoa powder (¾ cup)
  • 120 g heavy cream (½ cup)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

Beat all ingredients until light, fluffy, and spreadable. Adjust with a splash of cream if needed.

Spread generously once the cake is fully cooled.

Using Chocolate Sourdough Starter

If you maintain a chocolate sourdough starter, you can use it exactly the same way as discard in this recipe. It adds even more cocoa depth and pairs beautifully with the espresso powder.

This is one of my favorite ways to use chocolate starter beyond bread.

Sorceress Baking Tips

  • Use natural unsweetened cocoa powder (not hot cocoa mix)
  • Espresso powder is subtle — don’t skip it if you love deep chocolate flavor
  • Do not overbake; this cake stays incredibly moist when just set
  • Let the cake cool fully before frosting to preserve texture

Serving & Storage

  • Best served at room temperature
  • Keeps well covered for 1–2 days at room temp
  • Refrigerate for longer storage; bring to room temp before serving

This cake is perfect for birthdays, gatherings, or any time you want a homemade dessert that feels a little elevated — without losing its cozy charm.

✨ Tested, tweaked, and baked in my Sourdough Sorcery kitchen.
Because a little espresso and a little sourdough can turn an everyday chocolate cake into something truly magical.

DOWNLOAD the Recipe HERE

🍂 Ready to Bake Like a Pro?

I've gathered all my favorite sourdough tools — from whisks and bannetons to enamel Dutch ovens — to make your baking magical.
👉 Grab Your Sourdough Baking Essentials Here

Want More Sourdough Magic?

If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out these other favorites on the blog:

Grandma's Classic White Bread Reinvented as Sourdough

Gruyere Apricot Sourdough Bread

Savory Sage & Cheddar Sourdough

And don’t forget — I’ve put together everything you need to bake amazing sourdough bread all in one place.

The Magic Behind Every Great Loaf - 5 Essentials Every Sourdough Baker Needs

If you want to make your sourdough journey smoother (and your loaves even more magical), here are 5 essential tools every baker should have.