Soft & Spiced Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies (A Cozy Holiday Favorite)
Bake soft sourdough gingerbread cookies using discard and warm spices. A cozy holiday cookie recipe made from scratch in a rustic kitchen.
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Servings: 24 cookies
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Equipment
- 2 Cookie sheet (greased or lined)
- 2 mixing bowl (one large and one medium-sized bowl)
- holiday cookie cutters (if desired)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg optional
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup molasses
- ½ cup sourdough discard unfed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Rolling
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the molasses until fully incorporated.
Add the Sourdough Discard
- Stir in the sourdough discard, egg, and vanilla extract. The dough will smell rich and warmly spiced at this stage.
Combine and Chill
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) to improve flavor and make rolling easier.
Roll and Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough into 1½-inch balls, coat lightly in granulated sugar, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Optionally, you can cut the dough into festive shapes using holiday cookie cutters.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
Cool and Enjoy
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Decorate as desired.
Notes
Tips for Perfect Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies
- Don’t overbake, soft centers set as they cool
- Chill longer for deeper sourdough flavor
- For crinkle tops, slightly flatten dough balls before baking
- Add a pinch of black pepper for extra warmth and depth
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