Chocolate Chip Bliss with a Sourdough Twist: How to Make the Best Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sourdough bread has long been a favorite for its tangy flavor and rustic texture, but did you know it can elevate your chocolate chip cookies too? If you're a fan of traditional cookies and have a sourdough starter on hand, this recipe is the perfect way to mix things up. The sourdough adds a subtle tang, enriching the flavor of the chocolate chips and creating an incredibly chewy texture. Let’s dive into the step-by step guide to making these delicious sourdough chocolate chip cookies.
Ingredients:
Before we get started, here’s what you’ll need:
● 1 1/2 cup (3 sticks) browned butter
● 2 cup brown sugar
● 1/2 cup granulated sugar
● 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
● 1 cup sourdough starter (discard or active starter both work)
● 1 TB vanilla extract
● 4 cups all-purpose flour
● 2 tsp baking soda
● 4 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot
● 2 tsp salt
● 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or your preferred kind. Or mix half milk chocolate
and half semi-sweet)
● Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets
with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Combine dry ingredients: Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside
3. Cream the butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the browned butter,
brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
The creaming process is key to getting the right texture in your cookies.
4. Add the eggs and sourdough starter: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully
incorporated. Then, add in the sourdough starter and vanilla extract. The sourdough
starter not only adds flavor but also helps create a chewy texture, which is what we’re
looking for in these cookies.
5. Mix the dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients set aside earlier to the wet
ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix at this
stage.
6. Stir in the chocolate chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips (and nuts if you're using
them) until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Scoop and bake: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop tablespoon-sized mounds of
dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie for
spreading. Flatten the dough slightly with the back of the spoon, if you like a thinner
cookie.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are golden but
the centers are still soft. Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on
your oven.
9. Cool and enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before
transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will firm up as they cool, but
should stay wonderfully chewy inside.
Tips for the Perfect Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies:
● Use discard starter: If you have sourdough starter discard that you usually throw away,
this is the perfect way to use it! The tanginess will be subtle but noticeable in the
cookies.
● Don’t overbake: If you want your cookies chewy, make sure you don’t overbake them.
Pull them out of the oven when they look slightly underdone— they’ll firm up as they
cool.
● Chill the dough: If you have time, chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking.
This helps with flavor development and can prevent the cookies from spreading too
much.
● Mix up the chocolate chips: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips like dark
chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate to add your own twist!
Conclusion:
Sourdough chocolate chip cookies bring a tangy twist to a beloved classic, and once you try them, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making them all along! The addition of sourdough starter enhances the flavor, creating a complex and rich cookie with the perfect chewy texture. Whether you’re a sourdough enthusiast or just looking for a new baking adventure, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cookie cravings. Give these sourdough chocolate chip cookies a try, and let me know how they turn out! If you have any tips or modifications, feel free to share in the comments below. Happy baking! Like and follow for more!
