Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies
These tender and chewy cookies have a warm spiciness, plus well-balanced flavor thanks to the addition of sourdough. Roll them in chunky turbinado for a satisfying crunch, or in granulated sugar for a more classic look. Enjoy as is or dunk them in your favorite winter beverage for a cozy dessert.
Ingredients
- 169 grams (12 tbsp/1½ sticks) unsalted butter room temperature
- 198 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 148 grams (¾ cup packed) brown sugar
- 168 grams (½ cup) molasses
- 1 large egg
- 62 grams (¼ cup) sourdough discard 100% hydration
- 390 grams (2¾ cups) all-purpose flour
- 9 grams (1½ tsp) baking soda
- 5 grams (2 tsp) ground ginger
- 3 grams (1 tsp) ground cinnamon
- 0.5 grams (¼ tsp) ground cloves
- 3 grams (½ tsp) fine salt
- Turbinado or Demerara sugar (or substitute granulated) for coating
Instructions
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, and molasses. Beat together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5-6 minutes. Scrape down side of the bowl once or twice during the process.
- On low speed add egg and beat until combined. Add sourdough starter and beat until combined. Scrape down side of bowl and mix again until evenly combined.
- In a medium bowl mix together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- Gradually mix dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredient mixture on low speed. Mix until just combined. Scrape down side of bowl and mix again until evenly combined.
- Cover dough and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line two large sheet pans with parchment paper.
- Place turbinado, Demerara, or granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop tablespoon sized balls of dough and roll in sugar. Place on sheet pans about 2-inch apart (I usually fit 12 on a standard sized 13x18-inch half sheet pan).
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until they are a deep and even golden-brown color with significant cracking on top. Allow to rest on baking sheets for 2-3 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.