Sourdough Holiday Cookie Recipes
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The holiday season just feels made for baking, doesn’t it? There’s something so special about filling the kitchen with sweet, spiced aromas and then sharing those treats with the people you love. Sourdough cookies are one of my favorite ways to bake during the holidays because the sourdough starter adds the loveliest depth of flavor and creates cookies that are soft, chewy, and full of character.
Whether you’re planning a cookie exchange, making treats for teachers and neighbors, or simply spending a cozy afternoon baking with the kids, this collection has something for every moment of the season. From warm, spiced gingerbread to rich chocolate cookies that taste like they came from a bakery, these are the cookies that find their way onto repeat holiday bake lists every single year.
Make-Ahead Sourdough Cookie and Freezer Tips
Holiday baking is always easier when you can get a head start. The great thing about sourdough cookies is that most of them freeze really well, either before or after baking. Here are my best tips for prepping your cookie trays in advance so you can enjoy the season without rushing in the kitchen.
Freezing Cookie Dough
Freezing the dough is my favorite way to prep ahead because it lets you bake fresh cookies whenever you need them.
- Scoop the Dough - Portion the dough into cookie dough balls using a cookie scoop. This keeps everything the same size so they bake evenly. You could also weigh the dough balls if you prefer.
- Snap Freeze - Place the dough balls on a lined baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. This stops them from sticking together.
- Store for Later - Transfer the frozen cookie dough balls to a freezer safe bag or airtight container. Label with the date and name of the cookie.
- Bake from Frozen - Place frozen dough balls onto a tray, let them sit for a minute or two, and bake as usual. No need to thaw before baking.
Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months with no loss of taste or texture.
Freezing Baked Cookies
If you want your cookie tray ready to assemble quickly, you can also freeze baked cookies.
- Cool Completely - Make sure your cookies are fully cooled so they do not steam or go soggy in storage.
- Layer Gently - Place cookies in a container with sheets of baking paper between layers so they do not stick together.
- Store for Later - Freeze for up to 3 months. Most cookies thaw beautifully at room temperature in about 20 to 30 minutes.
Warm and Cozy Spiced Sourdough Holiday Cookies
If you love the kind of cookies that make the whole house smell warm and inviting, these cookies are for you. They're filled with cinnamon, ginger, molasses, pumpkin spice, and all the comforting flavors we crave during the holidays. They’re soft, chewy, and perfect for sharing with friends, gifting to neighbors, or enjoying with a cup of tea while the tree lights twinkle. Each one has just the right touch of sourdough to deepen the flavor and give the cookies a beautiful texture that feels special for the season.
Sourdough Pfeffernusse Cookies
Tiny, spiced, and dusted in powdered sugar, these sourdough pfeffernusse cookies are a festive European classic with a sourdough twist. They’re perfect for gifting or serving alongside a mug of tea or mulled cider.
Sourdough Ginger Molasses Cookies
These have everything you want in a ginger molasses cookie. Soft, chewy centers, sparkly sugar-coated edges, and warm spice that makes the house smell amazing. The sourdough gives them a lovely depth of flavor that keeps you coming back for another bite.
Sourdough Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Soft, chewy, and full of warm pumpkin spices. The sourdough starter gives them the best texture and a lovely depth of flavor. Perfect for fall baking, holiday cookie boxes, or those days when you want the house to smell amazing.
Maple Pecan Sourdough Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies are all about cozy flavor. Toasty pecans, maple sweetness, and hearty oats come together in a cookie that feels warm and comforting. Perfect for gifting or afternoon coffee moments.
Sourdough Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Crispy edges and chewy centers with juicy raisins throughout. These are the oatmeal raisin cookies everyone will ask for the recipe for. Just a hint of sourdough tang balances the sweetness beautifully.
Sourdough Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
These crinkly, powdered sugar-topped cookies are full of cozy gingerbread flavor inside. They bake up soft in the center with a lightly crisp exterior that looks gorgeous on any holiday cookie tray.
Rich and Chocolatey Sourdough Cookies
If chocolate is always the first cookie you reach for, you are going to love this collection. These sourdough cookies are soft, chewy, and full of deep chocolate flavor with just a hint of tang from the sourdough starter to balance the sweetness.
They’re the kind of cookies that feel a little indulgent and extra special, perfect for holiday cookie trays, gifting to friends, or enjoying with a cozy drink at the end of the day. Each recipe has been tested to bake up beautifully every time, so you can relax and enjoy the moment (and maybe sneak one warm from the tray).
Sourdough Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies have crispy edges and soft, chewy centers with plenty of melty chocolate throughout. They feel nostalgic, but the sourdough gives them something extra. Easy, reliable, and always a crowd favorite.
Sourdough Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These chocolate crinkle cookies bake up with soft, fudgy centers and a beautiful crackly powdered sugar coating. They look stunning on a holiday cookie platter and taste even better with a cup of coffee or cocoa.
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft, chewy, and full of melty chocolate, these sourdough chocolate chip cookies are a year-round favorite that fit right in at holiday time. The sourdough starter gives them the best texture and just a hint of tang that keeps you reaching for another.
Sourdough Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
Rich chocolate cookies with a creamy vanilla frosting center make these a little nostalgic and completely irresistible. They look impressive but are wonderfully simple to make, perfect for gifting or sharing.
Triple Chocolate Sourdough Cookies
If you love chocolate, these are for you. Packed with cocoa and two types of chocolate chips, each bite is rich and decadent with just the right amount of chew.
Classic Holiday Favorites and Giftable Sourdough Cookies
This section is all about the cookies that feel like tradition. The ones you look forward to every year, the ones your family asks for, and the ones that always make it onto a holiday cookie tray.
These sourdough cookies are perfect for gifting, sharing, and decorating with little hands in the kitchen. They bake up beautifully, hold their shape, and have that lovely hint of sourdough flavor that makes them feel extra special. Whether you’re filling tins for neighbors, bringing a plate to a party, or creating cozy memories at home, these are the cookies that make the season feel joyful and bright.
Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies
These are such a lovely cookie to make during the holidays. The dough can be fermented in the fridge for a day or two, which deepens the flavor and makes baking day really easy. Cut them into your favorite festive shapes and decorate with the kids, or leave them simple for gifting.
Sourdough Snickerdoodle Cookies
A holiday classic. These cookies are soft and tender with a cinnamon sugar coating that cracks as they bake. They’re lightly tangy, perfectly sweet, and always adored. A great cookie to bake for gifting, gatherings, or filling the cookie jar.
Sourdough Shortbread Cookies
Simple, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. These are the cookies you want when you’re making pretty cookie tins or gifting to neighbors. You can shape the dough into a log, slice, bake, and you’re done. Or use cutters if you want something extra festive.
Sourdough Thumbprint Cookies
A sweet little cookie with a jam-filled center. Choose your favorite jam (strawberry is a favorite here) and bake a batch to share. They look beautiful on a cookie platter and are great for holiday trays because they keep well.
Sourdough Fruit Mince Cookies
A true holiday classic. Filled with spiced fruit mince and a hint of citrus, these cookies taste like Christmas in every bite. They make such a lovely homemade gift.
Sourdough Sugar Cookies
Perfect for decorating, gifting, or packaging for cookie exchanges. The dough rolls out easily, holds its shape, and bakes up soft with the slightest chew. You can decorate them simply or go all out with icing and sprinkles.
Sourdough Biscoff Cookies
Thin, crisp, and full of warm caramel spice flavor, these Biscoff-style cookies are a beautiful addition to any holiday cookie tin. They pair perfectly with coffee or a late-night hot chocolate while wrapping gifts.
Festive and Fun Sourdough Cookies
This section is where we get to have a little fun. These cookies bring color, texture, and personality to your holiday cookie trays. They’re playful, exciting, and full of big flavor, the kind of cookies everyone reaches for first.
Whether you’re baking with kids, gifting something unique, or simply adding a bit of sparkle to your cookie plate, these recipes are sure to bring smiles all around. They’re cheerful, a little whimsical, and absolutely delicious. Enjoy sharing them as much as you enjoy baking them!
Sourdough Funfetti Cookies
These cheerful cookies are soft and chewy with pops of colorful sprinkles in every bite. They’re perfect for cookie exchanges, school parties, or anytime you want something bright and happy on the holiday cookie plate.
Sourdough Strawberries and Cream Cookies
Sweet strawberry flavor paired with creamy white chocolate makes these cookies feel extra special. The sourdough starter adds depth and keeps them soft, making them a lovely treat for gifting or sharing with a festive afternoon tea.
Sourdough S'mores Cookies
Soft and chewy with pockets of melty chocolate, gooey marshmallow, and bits of crunchy graham, these cookies are a total crowd-pleaser. The sourdough adds just a hint of tang that keeps them from being too sweet, making them feel extra special. They’re perfect for holiday movie nights or gifting to anyone who needs a little warm, toasty joy.
Sourdough Honey Pistachio Cookies
Delicately sweet with a nutty pistachio crunch. The honey adds a lovely floral finish and the sourdough gives them a tender crumb. These cookies are beautiful on a cookie platter and perfect with tea.
Sourdough Vanilla Wafers
Light, buttery cookies with a nostalgic flavor. These are lovely for snacking, layering into trifles, or gifting in little jars. Very simple and very delicious.
Sourdough White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Sweet, tart, chewy, and festive. The white chocolate adds creaminess while the cranberries add bright pops of flavor. These look especially pretty on holiday cookie trays.
Sourdough Cookie Frequently Asked Questions
Not usually. When you use fresh sourdough discard or active starter, the flavor is more of a gentle tang rather than a strong sour flavor. If your discard is very old or has been sitting in the fridge for weeks, it can taste too sour and overpower the cookie. For the best flavor, use fresh discard.
Yes, you can use either. Most of these recipes are written to work with sourdough discard, but active starter works just as well. Just make sure your discard is not overly sour.
Yes. Scoop the dough into balls, place on a tray, and freeze until firm. Then store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 4 to 6 months. Bake straight from frozen and just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Most sourdough cookies freeze beautifully. Let them cool completely first. Freeze in a single layer, then store in a container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
No. Bake straight from frozen. You can let them soften on the tray for a minute or two before placing in oven and bake as the recipe suggests.
Add a small amount of flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough firms up. Every discard has slightly different moisture levels, so the dough sometimes needs a tiny adjustment.
Most TPM cookie recipes work well with a medium scoop (about 2 tablespoons of dough), but the size can vary depending on how thick or chewy you'd like your cookies to bake.
