18 Best Sourdough Dessert Recipes for Summer

It’s sourdough desserts: starring the best of the summer harvest.

When you get deep into the world of sourdough, you’re always looking for even more ways to incorporate it into your menu, beyond the beginner sourdough recipes.

It’s that addicting!

(And also, not wanting to discard the discard is a real dilemma for frugal bakers.)

In the summertime, we try to plan our menus around all the vegetables, berries and other fruits we grow or pick up from local farms.

And what better way to enjoy the bounty of summer than to transform them into amazing sourdough desserts?

Collage image with 4 desserts and text "17+ best sourdough desserts for summer"

Sourdough doesn’t have to be all about the bread, after all.

Of course, getting all the gut-friendly benefits from sourdough is a bonus, especially when you’re catering to your sweet tooth (just a little).

Learning to keep a sourdough starter alive is a feat in itself. And sourdough desserts are a great way to keep that momentum going.

The recipes below allow you to showcase all the best summer flavors while you indulge your sourdough baking obsession.

This post likely contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more info.

1| Sourdough Coconut Lime Cookies

This frosted cookie recipe creates a soft, tangy cookie with fresh lime juice and lime slices to garnish.

I can see these as a fun poolside snack!

Closeup of frosted cookies with lime slices on top. — Photo courtesy of **Farmhouse Harvest**

2| Sourdough Peach Cobbler

This is an easy sourdough dessert you can make with just about any summer berries.

If using peaches, you can even leave the skins on for less prep time.

Peach cobbler with sourdough biscuit topping on plate with ice cream and 2 similar plates in background. — Photo courtesy of **Surprise! It’s Sourdough**

3| Sourdough Discard Carrot Cake

I’m still harvesting carrots out of the garden this summer, so I think this carrot cake qualifies as a summertime dessert!

Use either active starter or discard for this delicious, sweet cake (which also includes crushed pineapple).

Large baking dish with sourdough discard carrot cake with frosting on top. — Photo courtesy of **Lynn’s Way of Life**

4| Sourdough Lemon Loaf

Sourdough discard makes a no-fuss quick bread bursting with lemony goodness.

With fresh lemon juice – including in the glaze – sourdough lemon loaf would be an easy potluck pleaser this summer.

Three slices of glazed sourdough lemon cake on a plate. — Photo courtesy of **Two Pink Peonies**

5| Sourdough Discard Strawberry Cake

This is the perfect dessert to make after going to the strawberry patch, or anytime strawberries are in season!

Slice of strawberry cake dusted with powdered sugar — Photo courtesy of **This Jess Cooks**

6| Lemon Poppy Sourdough Zucchini Bread

With a unique combination of lemon, poppy seeds and zucchini, this sourdough dessert is a must-try.

Candied lemon slices make these little loaves extra special.

Mini loaves with glaze and lemon slices on top. — Photo courtesy of **For the Pleasure of Eating**

7| Sourdough Zucchini Bread

A spiced sourdough quick bread to help you out with the summer zucchini overload!

This recipe is so moist it doesn’t use eggs. You can also add nuts and chocolate chips or your favorite add-ins.

Loaf of zucchini bread on cutting board. — Recipe courtesy of **The Flavor Bells**

8| Sourdough Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

Big, bakery-style cookies are stuffed with cream cheese and strawberries for a decadent summer treat.

I think these would make a fun birthday party cookie or even a festive 4th of July dessert.

Hand holding a cookie split in half with cream cheese and strawberry filling. — Photo courtesy of **Country Roads Sourdough**

9| Cinnamon Apple Sourdough Cake

Tart, firm apples make this delicious cake that includes sourdough discard and fragrant cinnamon.

Apple cake is a favorite in our house for a busy weeknight dessert.

Closeup of cinnamon cake with fresh apples baked inside. — Photo courtesy of **Homemade on a Weeknight**

10| Sourdough Bread Blueberry French Toast Muffins

These muffins are made simple by using premade cubed sourdough bread which are made into a french toast-esque mixture and spooned into muffin cups.

With blueberries and a streusel topping, this could equally be dessert or breakfast any time!

Moist french toast muffin topped with blueberries. — Photo courtesy of **Busy Little Chefs**

11| Sourdough Rhubarb Cake

Rhubarb brings back memories of my childhood, when my grandma used to make rhubarb pie in the summer!

This Rhubarb cake gets an upgrade with sourdough starter and balances tart and sweet in a delicious combination.

Rhubarb cake on a large plate with a flower garnish.

12| Sourdough Strawberry Galette

This strawberry galette is a beautiful, rustic dessert with a sourdough crust.

It would make a great addition to any summer backyard barbeque.

Slice of strawberry galette on a plate with full pie in background. — Photo courtesy of **Sourdough Brandon**

13| Sourdough Discard Apple Cake with Frosting

This apple cake includes a mouthwatering maple cream cheese frosting.

I suppose apples are technically a fall dessert. But I find big boxes on sale through Azure Standard in the summer, so for us apples are also summer favorite!