20+ Sourdough Discard Christmas Cookies
Christmas cookie season is my absolute favorite time of year in the kitchen! If you bake with sourdough like I do, you know that December means a whole lot of discard piling up in the fridge. So a few years ago I started asking myself, why not put it in the cookies? Since then I've started making cookies almost exclusively with my sourdough discard and I don't think I'll go back! Here are some of my favorite sourdough cookie recipes!
That one question turned into a whole lineup of sourdough Christmas cookies that now fill our cookie tins every year. My kids help me roll, cut, and decorate (and taste test, of course), and not one person at our holiday parties has ever guessed there was sourdough in them. They just know the cookies are soft, flavorful, and gone way too fast.
This roundup has more than 20 of my favorite sourdough holiday cookies, from classic cut-out sugar cookies to gingerbread, snickerdoodles, thumbprints, and a few fun new twists. Whether you’re filling a cookie tray, swapping at a cookie exchange, or just baking with your kids on a snowy afternoon, there’s something here for you.
You can also find a whole section about holiday baking in my sourdough cookbook, Seasonal Sourdough!
Jump to:
- Why Bake Christmas Cookies with Sourdough Discard?
- Can I Use Active Sourdough Starter Instead of Discard?
- How to Store and Freeze Sourdough Christmas Cookies
- Tips for Baking Sourdough Christmas Cookies
- Sourdough Christmas Cookie Gift Ideas
- Sourdough Christmas Cookies FAQ
- Sourdough Discard Christmas Cookies
Why Bake Christmas Cookies with Sourdough Discard?
- No more wasted discard. Holiday baking is the perfect way to use it up. I always have a jar of sourdough discard in my fridge for sourdough pancakes and sourdough discard bread, but I absolutely love using it for cookies too!
- Better flavor. Discard adds a little bit of richness that makes cookies taste bakery-level good. It doesn’t make them sour, so don't worry!
- Softer cookies that last longer. The extra moisture helps your sourdough Christmas cookies stay fresh for days, which is perfect for gifting.
- You already have it. No special trip to the store, just open the fridge and use up that sourdough discard from when you baked your sourdough bread.
Can I Use Active Sourdough Starter Instead of Discard?
Yes, you can! I get this question all the time, and the good news is that active sourdough starter and sourdough discard can be used interchangeably in most of these cookie recipes with no other changes. In cookies, the sourdough isn’t doing the heavy lifting when it comes to rise. Baking soda and baking powder take care of that. The starter or discard is mostly there to add moisture and that rich flavor.
That said, you might notice a small difference. Active, bubbly starter can make your cookies puff up just a little more and give them a slightly lighter, softer texture. Discard straight from the fridge tends to give you a chewier, denser cookie with a touch more flavor. I’ve baked my sugar cookies and snickerdoodles both ways, and honestly, my kids couldn’t tell the difference. They just ate them.
My go-to is unfed discard because that’s what’s always sitting in my fridge, especially during the holidays when I’m baking nonstop. But if you just fed your starter and have some extra, go ahead and use it. Just make sure it’s 100% hydration (equal parts flour and water by weight) so the dough comes out the right consistency. If your starter is thicker or thinner than that, your cookies may spread more or turn out a little dry.
How to Store and Freeze Sourdough Christmas Cookies
Most baked Christmas cookies keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Store crisp cookies and soft cookies separately so the crisp ones stay crunchy.
Freeze undecorated cookies in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter and decorate when you’re ready.
Scoop drop cookie dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag. Wrap cut-out cookie dough in a disk. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time.
Tips for Baking Sourdough Christmas Cookies
- Use unfed discard. Straight from the fridge is perfect. Give it a stir before measuring since it can separate.
- Chill your dough. Sourdough cookie dough is a little softer, so chilling keeps cut-out cookies sharp and drop cookies from spreading.
- Bake ahead. Most sourdough holiday cookies freeze beautifully. I start baking in early December and stash everything in the freezer so Christmas week is stress free.
- Make a big batch of discard. If you know you’re doing a cookie baking day, save your discard for a week or two beforehand so you have plenty.
- Bake with your kids. Seriously. Some of my favorite Christmas memories are from flour-covered countertops and lopsided sprinkle jobs!
Sourdough Christmas Cookie Gift Ideas
Homemade cookies are one of my favorite holiday gifts to give. Fill a tin with a mix of sourdough Christmas cookies and add a little tag with the recipe. Mason jars, bakery boxes, and festive paper plates wrapped in cellophane all work great for teachers, neighbors, and mail carriers. Sturdy cookies like shortbread, molasses crinkles, and snickerdoodles travel best if you’re shipping them.
Sourdough Christmas Cookies FAQ
Not at all! The sourdough discard adds a gentle richness and depth of flavor, but the sugar, butter, and spices keep these cookies sweet and festive. Nobody at my holiday parties has ever guessed there was sourdough in them.
You can bake and freeze most sourdough holiday cookies up to 3 months ahead, or keep cookie dough in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to start my holiday baking in early December so I’m not scrambling the week of Christmas.
Sturdy cookies that travel well are your best bet, like sourdough snickerdoodles, molasses crinkles, shortbread, and chocolate crinkle cookies. They hold up in tins and stay soft for days thanks to the discard.
Yes, once the royal icing is completely dry, you can freeze decorated sourdough sugar cookies in a single layer separated by parchment paper. Thaw them in the container so condensation doesn’t ruin the icing.
Sourdough Discard Christmas Cookies
A delicious way to use your sourdough discard, these Sourdough Oatmeal Raisin Cookies have become one of my favorite ways to clear out the fridge without wasting a single scoop of starter.
These Sourdough Peanut Butter Cookies are chewy, rich, and packed with classic peanut butter flavor, plus, they’re a fantastic way to use up your sourdough discard.
Your coffee's new favorite cookie is here! Chocolate Chip Sourdough Biscotti are easy to make and a great way to use up that extra sourdough discard!
Full of chocolate chips and a great use for your sourdough discard, these Sourdough Blondies are so easy and so decadent!
When Autumn comes around, there's nothing quite like enjoying soft Sourdough Pumpkin Cookies. Melt in your mouth and full of Fall spices, these cookies are a must make when the air starts to get crisp!
These Sourdough Sugar Cookies are the ones I always make because they’re delicious, reliable, and truly work.Â
Soft and full of cinnamon and sugar, these Sourdough Snickerdoodles have become my favorite way to use up sourdough discard!
Chewy, chocolatey, and the perfect way I’ve found to use up leftover sourdough starter, these Brown Butter Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies have become a family favorite in my kitchen!Â
A classic cookie during the holidays, these Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies are the perfect cookie for cookie cutters. It's also a great use for the sourdough starter you have left in the refrigerator!
As a sourdough baker who tests new recipes every week for my blog, I’ve made a lot of cookies, but these sourdough thumbprint cookies are the one recipe my family asks for every holiday season!
I’ve made a lot of cookies, but these sourdough thumbprint cookies are the one recipe my family asks for every holiday season!
Chewy sourdough banana bread cookies with toasted walnuts and chocolate chips, a no-waste discard recipe that holds a proper cookie shape.
Sourdough chocolate cookies are the perfect same day recipe for beginner sourdough bakers. Filled with hazelnuts and chocolate chips plus ready in 30 min.
This Sourdough Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie has crispy edges, a gooey center, and rich sourdough tang. Ready in 40 minutes with discard.
Chewy, fudgy, and filled with chocolate, these double chocolate sourdough cookies use sourdough discard for a rich brownie cookie.
Almond Croissant Cookies Recipe (Optionally With Sourdough Discard!)
Almond croissant cookies are soft and chewy inside, crisp and buttery outside, and decadent with rich almond filling.
A flavor-packed sugar cookie topped with lemon buttercream frosting. They're sweet and just the right amount of tart, and perfect for spring!
My sourdough nutter butter cookies are made from-scratch with crunchy peanut butter cookies and a creamy peanut butter filling
A delicious recipe for Sourdough Chocolate Espresso Cookies packed with chocolate chips and an espresso kick to make the chocolate flavor extra rich!
Rich and chocolatey these homemade sourdough Oreo cookies are so soft and tender sandwiched between a sweet marshmallow buttercream.
These sourdough apple cider cookies celebrate everything you love about this classic fall drink with a sourdough twist!
Sourdough Linzer cookies are the perfect holiday treat! They are quick and easy to make with sourdough discard.
Maple walnut cookies with sourdough discard are an easy, delicious cookie perfect for fall! Soft walnut studded cookies wtih a maple glaze.
Sourdough Discard Brookies (The Best of Brownies and Cookies!)
Fudgy brownie meets chewy chocolate chip cookie! These sourdough discard brookies stay soft for days and are perfect for parties.
