Discover the 15 best sourdough cookie recipes that use your starter or discard to create rich, chewy, flavorful cookies. Perfect for every baking level!
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Sourdough isn't just for bread anymore. Home bakers have discovered that sourdough starter can add incredible depth of flavor, tenderness, and even a slight chew to cookies. Using a sourdough starter (active or discard) gives cookies a unique texture and taste you just can’t get from traditional recipes.
If you're looking for creative ways to use up your sourdough discard, cookies are a smart choice. Instead of tossing out that extra starter, you can transform it into soft, chewy, flavorful treats. The slight tang from the sourdough balances sweetness perfectly, making every bite feel a little more interesting and a lot more delicious.
The Best Sourdough Cookie Recipes:
This roundup of the 15 best sourdough cookie recipes covers everything from classic chocolate chip to inventive combinations like sourdough snickerdoodles and peanut butter cookies. Whether you're a seasoned sourdough pro or just getting started, you'll find a cookie recipe here that you'll want to bake again and again.
1. Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Rich, buttery, and perfectly chewy, these cookies use sourdough starter to create an incredible depth of flavor. The slight tang cuts through the sweetness of the chocolate, making them irresistible. You need to try these sourdough chocolate chip cookies by Sugar Spun Run!
2. Sourdough Snickerdoodle Cookies
Soft and pillowy, with a delightful cinnamon-sugar coating. The sourdough gives these snickerdoodles a little twist that keeps them tender and adds a subtle complexity. Get the recipe from Little Spoon Farm blog!
3. Sourdough Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Chewy oats, plump raisins, and the subtle tang of sourdough combine to make these cookies hearty and satisfying without being overly sweet. Try this recipe by The Clever Carrot!
4. Sourdough Peanut Butter Cookies
If you love peanut butter, you'll love these. The sourdough starter adds just enough acidity to balance the rich, nutty flavor of the peanut butter. This recipe from Heartbeet Kitchen is a keeper!
5. Sourdough Double Chocolate Cookies
Calling all chocolate lovers: These cookies are packed with cocoa powder and chocolate chips. The sourdough starter makes them extra fudgy inside. This recipe from Make It Dough has so much chocolate that you will be addicted!
6. Sourdough Sugar Cookies
A basic sugar cookie recipe gets a makeover with sourdough discard. They're soft, tender, and perfect for decorating or enjoying plain. Amy Bakes Bread knows how to make a goooooood sugar cookie!
7. Sourdough Lemon Cookies
Bright, tangy lemon flavor pairs beautifully with the subtle tang of the sourdough starter. A fresh, light option that feels perfect for spring. These Lemon crinkle cookies from Foragers of Happiness are a must try!
8. Sourdough Brownie Cookies
Think of these as the lovechild of a fudgy brownie and a cookie. Dense, rich, and packed with chocolate, with a unique texture thanks to the starter. Bonus! These brownie cookies from George Eats are also gluten free!
9. Sourdough Ginger Molasses Cookies
Spicy ginger and rich molasses are a perfect match for the slightly tangy sourdough. These cookies are chewy, warmly spiced, and perfect for colder months. These cookies from Homestead and Chill are just that!!
10. Sourdough Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Pumpkin, warm spices, and sourdough starter come together for a fall-flavored cookie that's soft, moist, and full of cozy flavor. You need to try this recipe from Pantry Mama!
11. Sourdough Coconut Macaroons
Light, chewy, and coconut-packed, these macaroons use sourdough discard to create a texture that's crisp outside and soft inside. Try adding some sourdough discard to my vanilla macaroon recipe!
12. Sourdough Almond Cookies
Almond flour and a little sourdough starter make these cookies gluten-light, nutty, and deeply flavorful without being heavy. Give this recipe from Sammy Wong's Kitchen a try!
13. Sourdough Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
A hint of espresso enhances the chocolate while the sourdough adds complexity. These cookies are bold, rich, and a little bit grown-up. Try adding a bit of espresso to your sourdough discard in this recipe!
14. Sourdough Shortbread Cookies
Crisp, buttery, and crumbly, shortbread gets an upgrade with sourdough. They’re perfect for dipping in coffee or giving as gifts. This recipe by Foragers of Happiness is my go to!
15. Sourdough White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Nutty macadamia and the tangy backdrop of sourdough create a cookie that's earthy, bold, and totally unexpected. Try this recipe from Foragers of Happiness!
Best Sourdough Cookie Recipes Conclusion
There’s a reason these are considered the best sourdough cookie recipes out there. Each one takes advantage of what sourdough does best: adding flavor, moisture, and a touch of chewiness that’s hard to beat. Whether you’re looking for a classic chocolate chip or something more adventurous like sesame or espresso, sourdough opens up a world of cookie possibilities.
So dust off your starter, preheat the oven, and start baking your way through these recipes. Once you taste the difference a little sourdough can make, you might never go back to ordinary cookies again.
Until next time,
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