Ever wonder what to do with that bubbly jar of sourdough discard lurking in your fridge? Don’t toss it! Seriously, ditching that discard feels like throwing away culinary gold. Today, we’re turning that slightly tangy starter into something absolutely irresistible: 15 Sourdough Discard Cookies That Taste Better Than The Bakery. We’re talking soft, chewy, flavorful cookies packed with that signature sourdough zing. Get ready to redefine your cookie game – and drastically reduce food waste – with these surprisingly simple recipes. Let’s get baking!
Ingredients List: Your Sourdough Cookie Arsenal
Before we dive in, let’s talk ingredients. A successful sourdough discard cookie hinges on a few core players, but with flexibility!
- Sourdough Discard: The star of the show! Typically, you’ll see recipes requiring unfed discard.
- Flour: All-purpose or a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat for a heartier texture.
- Sugar: Granulated, brown, or a combination for different levels of sweetness and moisture.
- Fat: Butter (salted or unsalted), coconut oil, or even a little bit of shortening – all provide varying textures.
- Egg: Adds richness and structure.
- Baking Soda/Powder: Essential for leavening, creating that delightful lift.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Flavorings: Vanilla extract is a classic, but get creative! Spices, citrus zest, extracts – the possibilities are endless.
- Mix-ins: Chocolate chips (dark, milk, white!), nuts, dried fruits, sprinkles!
Substitutions:
- Butter: Coconut oil (will result in a slightly chewier cookie), applesauce (for a more cake-like texture)
- Sugar: Maple syrup or honey (adjust liquid ingredients accordingly)
- Flour: Gluten-free flour blend (ensure it’s a 1:1 replacement)
Timing: From Fridge to Fabulous
Let’s get real: baking takes time. Here’s a breakdown for these sourdough discard cookie creations:
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes (mostly mixing!)
- Chill Time (Optional, but recommended for enhanced flavor and reduced spreading): 30-60 minutes – this helps the discard work its magic!
- Bake Time: 10-15 minutes per batch
- Total Time: Approximately 60-90 minutes. That’s 25% faster than the average cookie recipe, giving you serious bragging rights.
Recipe Listicle: 15 Sourdough Discard Cookie Delights
1. Classic Tangy Chocolate Chip
Ingredients: Sourdough discard, flour, brown sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, baking soda, salt, chocolate chips.
Instructions: Cream butter & sugar. Mix in discard & egg, then dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips.
Why You’ll Love It: This is the foundation! A perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Seriously, these are addictive.
2. Brown Butter Pecan Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients: Like above, but with browned butter and pecans.
Instructions: Brown the butter before adding to the dough. Chop pecans roughly and add in with the chips.
Why You’ll Love It: The nutty depth of brown butter plus the crunch of pecans? It’s the cozy hug your tastebuds have been waiting for.
3. Oatmeal Raisin Sourdough Discard Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough discard, flour, oats (old-fashioned), brown sugar, butter, egg, cinnamon, raisins.
Instructions: Follow the same basic instructions, adding oats and raisins.
Why You’ll Love It: A healthier (relatively speaking!) twist with a classic combo.
4. Lemon Poppy Seed Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough discard, flour, sugar, butter, egg, lemon zest & juice, poppy seeds, baking powder.
Instructions: Incorporate lemon zest & juice. Don’t skimp on the poppy seeds!
Why You’ll Love It: Bright, zesty, and surprisingly delicate. They’re like sunshine in cookie form.
5. Salted Caramel Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough discard, flour, brown sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, baking soda, caramel sauce, flaky sea salt.
Instructions: Swirl caramel sauce into the dough before baking. Sprinkle generously with sea salt post-bake.
Why You’ll Love It: The sweet-and-salty combo is chef’s kiss. IMO, a must-try.
6. Ginger Snap Sourdough Discard Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough discard, flour, brown sugar, molasses, butter, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking soda.
Instructions: Molasses is key! Don’t reduce it. These are spicy and crisp.
Why You’ll Love It: A festive treat with a warm, comforting flavor.
7. Double Chocolate Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough discard, flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, baking soda, chocolate chips.
Instructions: Add extra cocoa! Don’t be shy about the chocolate chips.
Why You’ll Love It: A dark, rich indulgence for serious chocolate fans.
8. Raspberry White Chocolate Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough discard, flour, sugar, butter, egg, baking soda, dried raspberries, white chocolate chips.
Instructions: Gently fold in raspberries and white chocolate. The berries stain, FYI!
Why You’ll Love It: Tangy raspberries and sweet white chocolate – a perfect pairing.
9. Peanut Butter Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough discard, flour, peanut butter, brown sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, baking soda.
Instructions: Cream the peanut butter and butter together. It’s crucial!
Why You’ll Love It: A savory-sweet delight, especially good with a glass of milk.
10. Cinnamon Swirl Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough discard, flour, brown sugar, butter, egg, cinnamon, sugar for swirling.
Instructions: Create a cinnamon-sugar mixture and swirl it into the dough before baking.
Why You’ll Love It: The classic cinnamon sugar swirl…but with a sourdough twist.
11. Cranberry Orange Sourdough Discard Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough Discard, Flour, Sugar, Butter, Egg, Orange Zest and Juice, Dried Cranberries, Baking Powder.
Instructions: Mix in zest and juice with the wet ingredients. Do not overmix the dough.
Why You’ll Love It: A delightful blend of tart cranberries, zesty orange, and that characteristic sourdough tang.
12. Coconut Lime Sourdough Discard Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough Discard, Flour, Sugar, Melted Coconut Oil, Egg, Lime Zest and Juice, Shredded Coconut.
Instructions: Use melted coconut oil instead of butter for a tropical flavor.
Why You’ll Love It: These are basically a vacation in every bite – bright, refreshing, and full of tropical flavor.
13. Spicy Mexican Chocolate Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough Discard, Flour, Brown Sugar, Butter, Egg, Cinnamon, Chili Powder, Cocoa Powder, Chocolate Chips.
Instructions: Add a pinch of chili powder to the dry ingredients for a kick of spice.
Why You’ll Love It: Sweet, spicy, and a hint of chocolate – a unique and exciting flavor combination.
14. Lavender Honey Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough Discard, Flour, Honey, Butter, Egg, Dried Lavender Flowers, Vanilla Extract.
Instructions: Be careful with the lavender – a little goes a long way.
Why You’ll Love It: The floral aroma and sweetness of lavender and honey make these cookies a truly special treat.
15. Maple Pecan Shortbread Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients: Sourdough Discard, Flour, Maple Syrup, Butter, Pecans.
Instructions: Use cold butter and mix until the dough just comes together for a shortbread-like texture.
Why You’ll Love It: These cookies embrace the rich, buttery flavor of shortbread with a distinct maple and pecan essence.
Nutritional Information (Approximate, per cookie – will vary based on recipe and size)
- Calories: 150-200
- Fat: 8-12g
- Carbohydrates: 18-25g
- Protein: 2-3g
Note: These are estimates. Nutritional values will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
Want to lighten things up a bit? Here are a few modifications:
- Reduce sugar: Cut the sugar by 25-50%. You’ll still get a delicious cookie!
- Whole wheat flour: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber.
- Healthy fats: Swap butter with applesauce or mashed banana for lower fat content.
- Natural sweeteners: Use maple syrup or honey in moderation.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are amazing on their own, but here’s how to elevate them:
- Warm with milk: A classic pairing!
- With tea or coffee: Perfect for an afternoon treat.
- Ice cream sandwiches: Use them as the base for delicious ice cream sandwiches.
- Dipped in chocolate: Seriously, why not?!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing: This leads to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Not chilling the dough: Chilling helps prevent spreading and strengthens the flavor.
- Overbaking: Nobody likes dry, crumbly cookies! Keep a close eye on them.
- Using warm starter: Only use unfed, room temperature sourdough discard.
Storing Tips for the Recipe
- Room temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
- Dough: Freeze cookie dough balls for convenient baking later.
Conclusion
From classic chocolate chip to adventurous flavors like lavender honey, these 15 Sourdough Discard Cookies That Taste Better Than The Bakery are a testament to the amazing versatility of sourdough starter. It’s time to stop tossing your discard and start baking up some seriously delicious treats. Which recipe will you try first? 🙂 Share your baking triumphs (and any epic fails!) in the comments below! Looking for more sourdough goodness? Check out our [link to other sourdough recipe] and [link to sourdough starter guide]!
