Sourdough Cookies

I can't believe it, but we are at the end of the year. Time has flown, and we are amazed and thrilled with how Sourdough Surprises has grown over just a few short months.

To celebrate the end of the year, the holiday season, and the final Sourdough Surprises of 2012, we thought we'd try a delicious treat, perfect for snacking, sharing or gifting - cookies!

It's the holiday season, which means that cookies are plentiful everywhere you turn. We were so excited to show you guys that your starter can make one heck of a cookie. The possibilities were endless and we hope you got a lot of joy from sharing your sourdough cookies with your friends!

Marisa M. made these amazing Peanut Butter cookies, using this recipe.  

There are so many varieties of sourdough cookies out there, and we don't want to limit your imagination. To get you started with some ideas, you can check out these delicious Cherry Almond Biscotti, this amazing (perfected by Jenni, tested by both of us!) versatile cookies (seriously - try them with chocolate chips, dried fruits - anything!), some fun sugar cookies if this time of year makes you want to bust out your rolling pin and cookie cutters, or these chocolate peanut butter cookies!. (Psst... if you check out our Sourdough Cookie Recipe Board on Pinterest, you will find lots more recipes, too!)

Maybe you'll find your new favorite among the delicious variations made this month. And who knows - maybe Santa will find some sourdough cookies waiting for him with that glass of milk this year!

Sourdough Oatmeal Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from The Crafts of Mommyhood

Basic Sourdough Cookie Recipe (recipe from The Gingered Whisk)

1 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup sourdough starter, 100% hydration
1 tsp Vanilla
3 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp  baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup toasted chopped walnuts (or other nut of your choice)
6 ounces chip (chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch, whichever suits your fancy)
1 cup dried fruit (Cherries, cranberries, whatever you have...)

Preheat oven to 400 degree.
In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of your electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugars.
Turn the mixer off, and with a wooden spoon gently mix in your starter until combined.
Add the egg (you can turn your mixer back on now) and the vanilla.
Slowly add the flour mixture into the mixer, until just combined.
Fold in your nuts, chips and fruit.
Place by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and bake 10-12 minutes, or until starting to turn golden brown around the edges

Also check out our other sourdough cookie recipes for sourdough biscotti and sourdough kolaches!