Sourdough Discard Cherry Chocolate Chip Quick Bread    

A Sourdough Discard Cherry Chocolate Chip Quick Bread is a great way to use up sourdough discard while creating a delicious and moist treat. This easy sourdough bread recipe combines the tangy flavor of sourdough with sweet cherries and chocolate chips for a unique and tasty quick bread.

Want to make a homemade sourdough bread but in need of a homemade sourdough starter? Check out this post: How to Make A Sourdough Starter From Scratch 

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Cherry picking is such a fun time of the year! Kids always look so forward to it. I’m sure it’s only partially due to the actual act of picking, at least for my kids, the pleasure tends to be more about the indulgence of eating them on the drive home. Sadly, being originally from the desert southwest, I was deprived of such outings! And I do have a soft spot for those that have to drive a good distance to get the full experience. Luckily, if farm fresh cherries are what you lack in your life (as mine once did) then this recipe is perfect for you! The dried cherry that is rehydrated bakes beautifully in this bread and is sure to be enjoyed by many!

Can you substitute dried cherries with fresh cherries?

Yes, you can substitute dried cherries with fresh cherries in this sourdough discard cherry chocolate chip quick bread. However, there are a couple adjustments you’ll want to make to ensure the best results:

• Add More Sugar: Dried cherries are usually sweeter than fresh cherries because of the added sugar, so you might want to slightly increase the amount of sugar in the recipe to make sure your bread has the right amount of sweetness. Consider adding about a 1/4 cup more sugar to the recipe.
• Adjust Moisture: Because fresh cherries have more moisture than dried ones, you might need to adjust the moisture content of your batter. In this case I would only use a 1/4 cup of milk so the batter is not too wet.

Do you need to soak fruit before baking?

Soaking fruit before baking is not always necessary, but it can be beneficial depending on the type of fruit and the recipe. Dried cherries can be a bit tougher than fresh cherries, so it’s a good idea to soak them to help soften them and reintroduce some moisture.

How to rehydrate dried cherries for baking:

• Place the dried cherries in a bowl and cover them with warm water. You can also use a juice. I like to use an all natural dark cherry juice to rehydrate mine.
• Let them soak for about 15-30 minutes.
• Drain and pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them to the batter.

Equipment for Quick Sourdough Bread Recipe

A large mixing bowl

Stand Mixer, hand mixer, or whisk

Tea towel or plastic bag (for the long fermentation)

9×5 loaf pan

Danish dough whisk or a wooden spoon

Rubber spatula

Sharp knife

Piece of parchment paper

Ingredients for Sourdough Discard Bread

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup sourdough starter discard (or active starter)
• 3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar (to be mixed with wet ingredients)
• 1/2 cup melted butter or melted coconut oil (we use organic coconut oil found here) Olive oil will also work but will change the flavor a little bit.
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Add-Ins

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cherries (soaked and strained)

Instructions for Simple Sourdough Bread Recipe

Quick Bread Version

• Lightly grease a 9×5 loaf pan with butter or line with parchment paper, and set aside.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In another bowl, combine the cup of sourdough starter, sugar, butter or oil, eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and milk. Mix until well combined.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Mix in the chocolate chips and dried cherries.
• Pour the sticky dough into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
• Serve warm, or let the sweet bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Slice and enjoy your homemade bread!

Long Fermented Version:

• Begin the batter 16-18 hours before you plan to bake the double chocolate chip bread. This allows the sourdough starter to ferment the flour, enhancing its digestibility and nutrient availability.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In another bowl, combine the cup of sourdough starter, sugar, butter or oil, eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and milk. Mix until well combined.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Mix in the chocolate chips and dried cherries.
• Cover the mixture with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. 
• For best results, allow for a 4-6 hour rise time.
• Place bread dough into the fridge for the second rise and let it continue fermenting overnight for an additional 12 hours.

The Next Day

• The next morning, after the final rise, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

• With a Danish dough whisk or a wooden spoon, stir the cherry chocolate chip sourdough dough.

• Place dough in to the prepared pan.

• Bake in the preheated oven for about 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

• Serve warm or let the sweet bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Enjoy your homemade loaf of bread!

More Sourdough Quick Bread Recipes

​The Best Sourdough Banana Nut Bread Discard Recipe

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Easy Sourdough Discard Peach Quick Bread Recipe

The Best Sourdough Zucchini Bread Discard Recipe

Sourdough Discard Lemon Blueberry Quick Bread Recipe

Sourdough Discard Double Chocolate Chip Quick Bread