Sourdough starter is combined with flour, water, coconut oil, and a few other simple ingredients to create a delicious and rich sourdough vanilla cake. It is a healthier spin on a classic yellow cake recipe.
A birthday is looming in our household, and so baking a cake has risen to the top of my to-do list. I thought I’d impress this special someone by baking a sourdough vanilla cake with rich chocolate icing.
Sourdough cakes are especially delicious because the sourdough gives the batter a depth of flavour. It also helps to make the cake dense and moist – two words I like the sound of only when they are describing cake!
(If you’re looking for more simple sweet treat ideas, you could try this healthy no-churn fig and walnut ice cream or this simple lemon rosemary cake with olive oil.)
If you too have a celebration of some sort on the horizon, I hope you will give this sourdough vanilla cake with homemade chocolate icing a try.
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Ingredients
For The Cake
All Purpose Organic White Flour
Coconut Oil
Sourdough Starter
Honey or Maple Syrup
Water
Eggs
Salt
Vanilla
Milk
Baking soda
For The Frosting
Cream Cheese
Powdered Sugar
Butter
Cocoa Powder
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Tools You Might Need
Large bowls
Cake pans
Spatula
Toothpick or sharp knife
How To Make Sourdough Vanilla Cake
The night before you want to bake the cake, combine together the flour, coconut oil, water, and sourdough starter in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic or beeswax wrap, a plate, or a damp tea towel and leave it on the counter overnight or at least 4 hours. It should roughly double in size.
The next day, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius.
In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla, honey, salt, and milk.
Then pour the egg mixture into the sourdough mixture, and mix until smooth.
Add the baking soda.
Pour the batter into the cake pan.
Bake for 25 minutes. Test that the cake is done by dipping a sharp knife or toothpick into the centre of the cake. It should come out clean.
Let the cake cool before icing.
How To Make Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing
In a sauce pan, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and butter.
Heat everything over low heat on the stovetop and stir until well combined.
Use a spatula to spread the icing onto the cake, once the cake is completely cooled.
FAQ
This cake will last 2-3 days covered on the counter before becoming dry. You can put the cake into the fridge to help it last about 1 week.
Yes. In an airtight container this cake will last about 6 months in the freezer. You can cut it into slices and wrap the slices in plastic wrap to make it easier to thaw. Thaw by leaving the cake in the fridge overnight.
Try These Other Simple Sweet Treat Ideas
Healthy No-Churn Fig And Walnut Ice Cream (Sugar Free)
Simple Lemon Rosemary Cake With Olive Oil
Simple & Tasty Sourdough Discard Banana Bread Recipe
Easy and Delicious Sourdough Discard Apple Cake Recipe
Fluffy and Simple Sourdough Chocolate Bread
If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please consider giving it 5 stars. Find me on Instagram @documentingsimpleliving and show me what you’ve made!
Simple Sourdough Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing
Sourdough starter is combined with flour, water, coconut oil, and a few other simple ingredients to create a delicious and rich sourdough vanilla cake. It is a healthier spin on a classic yellow cake recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup sourdough starter
- 1 cup water
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup of honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups cream cheese
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
Instructions
To Make The Cake
- The night before you want to bake the cake, combine together the flour, coconut oil, water, and sourdough starter in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic or beeswax wrap, a plate, or a damp tea towel and leave it on the counter overnight or at least 4 hours. It should roughly double in size.
- The next day, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius.
- In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla, honey, salt, and milk.
- Then pour the egg mixture into the sourdough mixture, and mix until smooth.
- Add the baking soda.
- Pour the batter into the cake pan.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Test that the cake is done by dipping a sharp knife or toothpick into the centre of the cake. It should come out clean.
- Let the cake cool before icing.
To Make The Icing
- In a sauce pan, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and butter.
- Heat everything over low heat on the stovetop and stir until well combined.
- Use a spatula to spread the icing onto the cake, once the cake is completely cooled.
Notes
How Long Does Sourdough Vanilla Cake Last?
This cake will last 2-3 days covered on the counter before becoming dry. You can put the cake into the fridge to help it last about 1 week.
Can You Freeze Sourdough Vanilla Cake?
Yes. In an airtight container this cake will last about 6 months in the freezer. I recommend slicing it up, and adding a piece of parchment paper between each slice. This will make it easier to consume when you thaw it out.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 854Total Fat: 54gSaturated Fat: 35gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 153mgSodium: 926mgCarbohydrates: 84gFiber: 3gSugar: 49gProtein: 11g
Nutrient values are estimates only.
Jhow says
Love this recipe and the video helps so much! Thank you
Nico says
So happy to hear that! I hope you enjoy munching it!
Elizabeth says
Would olive oil make a good substitute for coconut oil?
Nico says
I think olive oil might have too savoury of a flavour for this cake.
Debbie says
Something went wrong. Too dense for me. Must not have let it rise long enough. Wasn’t a fan of the distinct honey flavor. Frosting was pretty good though. Directions were pretty clear except for size of cake pan. I used a large-ish round metal cake pan and it worked great. Overall I think the overnight step is not an option but a must. Result after 4 hours was only okay. Flavor only okay. Clear directions did help. Thanks.
3/5 stars