Sourdough Christmas Baking: Cookie Recipe with Three Variations
Christmas smells of spices, warmth, and small moments of tranquility. These cookies deliver exactly that – but with a special twist: sourdough. What usually accompanies bread and ferments gives classic Christmas cookies a delicate, slightly nutty note and makes them wonderfully tender. A recipe that combines tradition and mindfulness – and does so without any rush.
If you are working with sourdough for the first time, please visit our sourdough page, where you will find everything you need to know in advance.
The subtle difference with sourdough
The sourdough not only provides a special aroma but also improves digestibility. Through natural fermentation, the cookies become easier to digest and develop a pleasantly mild, deep flavor. Whether plain, dusted with cinnamon, or dipped in chocolate – they taste of comfort and a hint of "homemade."
Recipe: Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients
Basic Dough
- 100 g active sourdough starter (100% hydration; 4–6 h after feeding) or Sourdough Quick Starter
- 250 g spelt flour type 630 (alternatively wheat 550)
- 100 g butter, softened
- 90 g sugar
- 1 egg (size M, approx. 55–60 g without shell)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp fine salt
For the three colored doughs
- Vanilla dough: unchanged
- Matcha dough: 6 g matcha powder + 5 g whole milk
- Cocoa dough: 10 g baking cocoa + 10 g whole milk + 10 g sugar
Decoration
- 150 g white chocolate coating
- 150 g dark chocolate coating (70%)
- 60 g chopped pistachios
- 60 g fine granulated sugar
- 60 g powdered sugar
Preparation
1. Prepare the dough
- Beat butter and sugar for 2–3 minutes until light and creamy – use a dough scraper to scrape down the sides.
- Stir in egg and vanilla extract, then incorporate the active sourdough starter.
- Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, then add gradually to the butter mixture until a smooth, soft dough forms.
2. Prepare three colored doughs
Divide the dough into three equal portions:
Vanilla: unchanged
Matcha: incorporate matcha powder + milk
-
Cocoa: incorporate cocoa powder + milk + sugar
Shape each dough into a flat disk, cover, and chill for at least 3 hours.
3. Roll out and cut out
- Preheat oven to 175 °C top/bottom heat.
- Lightly flour the work surface.
- Using a dough scraper, separate the dough, roll out to 4–5 mm thick.
- Cut out cookies, place on baking sheets, chill for 10–15 minutes.
4. Bake
Bake for 8–10 minutes until golden brown, let rest on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then cool completely.
Use an oven mitt to handle hot baking sheets.
Decoration
A) Sugar crust
Brush with water before baking, sprinkle with fine granulated sugar.
B) Half-dipped edges (white + pistachios)
Melt white chocolate coating, half-dip cookies, sprinkle with pistachios.
C) Chocolate edge (dark + pistachios)
Melt dark chocolate coating, apply a fine edge, sprinkle pistachios over it.
D) Powdered sugar stencil
Place stencil, dust with powdered sugar, let dry.
E) Chocolate lines (zigzag)
Fill chocolate into a piping bag, pipe lines, let harden.
Storage Ideas
After cooling completely:
Stack 15–20 cookies in a stainless steel tin for storage.
-
Arrange remaining cookies decoratively in a round storage jar with a new glass lid – for home or as a gift.
Layer by color (vanilla, matcha, cocoa) for an aesthetic look.
Seal the jar airtight and store in a dry place.
Perfect for Gifting – from Your Kitchen, with Love
Packaged in small round storage jars with stylish lids or paper bags, the sourdough cookies become a special gift from your kitchen. A loving gesture that shows that enjoyment can also be simple, natural, and comforting. Whether as an accompaniment to tea, coffee, or a traditional "Feuerzangenbowle" evening – they are a sweet form of home remedy.
These cookies remind us that mindful preparation brings peace – and that sometimes the smallest things hold the greatest magic.
If you want to give the sourdough cookies as a gift, you can find our labels for self-labeling here – or let our gift guide inspire you on how to beautifully present small winter treats.
