Perfect Sourdough Discard Snickerdoodle Cookies with Brown Butter

These Perfect Sourdough Discard Snickerdoodle Cookies with Brown Butter are buttery and soft with a crispy cinnamon-sugar crust.

They are tangy, with a hint of vanilla, and lots of cinnamon. This slight tang makes them the perfect way to use up sourdough discard.

If you are looking for more simple ways to use your sourdough discard, try one of these recipes:

• Sourdough Crackers
• Sourdough Flatbread
• Sourdough Oatmeal Cookies
• Sourdough Banana Bread
• Sourdough Sugar Cookies

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• The cinnamon sugar topping perfectly complements the nutty brown butter.
• The crispy edges contrast perfectly with the soft tender center.

What is a Snickerdoodle?

According to the Joy of Baking, "Snickerdoodles are also called Snipdoodles or Cinnamon Sugar Cookies. Recipes for this cookie started to appear in the late 1800s, and most agree they probably originated in New England and are of either German or Dutch descent.

No matter where the name came from they are delicious and one of my mom's favorite cookies.

What is the Difference Between Snickerdoodles and Sugar Cookies?

While the recipes are very similar, there are two main differences between a snickerdoodle cookie and a sugar cookie.

Snickerdoodles use cream of tartar which gives them their signature tang. They are also rolled in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar before baking.

Sugar cookies don't contain cream of tartar and aren't rolled in cinnamon and sugar.

What Makes Perfect Sourdough Snickerdoodle Cookies?

My perfect sourdough snickerdoodle cookie is soft and chewy in the middle with a slightly crispy edge. It has that signature snickerdoodle tang which helps offset the sweetness and is rolled in lots of cinnamon and sugar.

Underbaking your snickerdoodles slightly guarantees soft, buttery cookies. I've found that the perfect baking time for my oven is 11 minutes. But oven temperatures vary so you will want to watch your cookies closely.

The easiest way to verify the accuracy of your oven temperature is to use an inexpensive oven thermometer. Oven temperatures can vary as much as 50 degrees plus or minus.

For a crispier cookie, bake them for slightly longer (about 2-3 minutes more).

My secret for perfectly baked cookies is this AirBake cookie sheet. My cookies bake evenly every time I use these pans.

AirBake cookie sheets have two aluminum layers with a layer of air in between them. The layer of air decreases the temperature of the top layer of metal, preventing the bottom of the cookie from browning too quickly.

These pans are also really easy to clean. Just wipe them clean with a little soap and hot water. It is not recommended to fully submerge these pans in water or place them in a dishwasher.

Why is There Cream of Tartar in Snickerdoodle Cookies?

Cream of tartar or tartaric acid is a by-product of winemaking. When combined with baking soda it helps the snickerdoodles to rise and gives them their signature tangy flavor.

Cream of tartar also prevents the sugar in the cookie dough from crystalizing into crunchiness. Creating a softer chewier cookie.

"One more way cream of tartar gets used in the kitchen is when we're working with sugar. Where cream of tartar is a stabilizing agent for egg whites, a pinch added to boiling sugar is actually an interfering agent. The cream of tartar gets in the way of sugar's natural tendency to bind together and prevents those dreaded sugar crystals from forming." -- Emma Christensen, The Kitchn

Do I Have to Use Cream of Tartar in Snickerdoodles?

Nope. If you don't have cream of tartar, you can substitute 2 teaspoons of baking powder for the cream of tartar and baking soda.

What is Sourdough Discard?

Sourdough discard is the part of your sourdough starter that you usually throw away when you feed it. I feel guilty about throwing away food and am always looking for ways to reduce food waste.

Sourdough discard adds tons of incredible flavor to baked goods. The lactic acid bacteria found in sourdough discard adds flavor and tenderizes wheat proteins.

A fluffy loaf of sourdough bread needs a well-fed, active starter that will impart flavor, fermentation, and leavening. But there are other recipes, that do well with the unfed discarded starter. Waffles, pancakes, biscuits, crackers, pizza crust, and brownies are just a few examples.

Sourdough discard is not always strong enough to leaven baked goods on its own, so sourdough discard recipes usually need additional leavening in the form of baking soda, baking powder, or yeast. Most quick bread recipes can easily be turned into sourdough discard recipes.

Most sourdough starters are kept at 100% hydration meaning they are fed with equal amounts of water and flour. If you keep your starter at a different hydration level, you might need to adjust the flour our liquid amounts accordingly.

Pro Sourdough Tip: Keep a glass jar in your refrigerator to store your sourdough discard. Continue adding to it until you have enough to make your chosen sourdough discard recipe.

What are the best containers for storing sourdough starter and discard?

How long does sourdough discard last?

What is the difference between sourdough starter and sourdough discard?

Equipment

Light-colored pan for browning the butter.

While not completely necessary a stand mixer takes a lot of the hard work out of mixing cookie dough. I have had a Kitchen Aid stand mixer for almost 16 years and absolutely love it.

Rubber spatula: For folding batters together, I prefer a stiffer spatula like this one from OXO. It fits comfortably in my hand, is dishwasher safe, and is heat-resistant up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Both the handle and head are silicone coated which makes it easy to clean and safe to use with my non-stick cookware and bakeware.

My secret for perfectly baked cookies is this AirBake cookie sheet. My cookies bake evenly every time I use these pans. AirBake cookie sheets have two aluminum layers with a layer of air in between them. The layer of air decreases the temperature of the top layer of metal, preventing the bottom of the cookie from browning too quickly. These pans are also really easy to clean. Just wipe them clean with a little soap and hot water. It is not recommended to fully submerge these pans in water or place them in a dishwasher.

Directions

Brown the Butter: Slice the butter into pieces and melt it in a light-colored skillet over medium heat stirring or whisking constantly. Once melted, the butter will begin to foam. Continue stirring/whisking for about 5-7 minutes, the butter will become a deep amber color. Remove the browned butter from the heat, and pour it into a bowl. Allow the butter to cool for 30 minutes.

If you still have questions about how to brown butter, check out this video from America's Test Kitchen.

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl add the browned butter, brown sugar, and sugar. Whisk until there are no lumps of brown sugar. Add the egg yolks and vanilla. Whisk together until smooth. Fold in the sourdough discard.

Combine the Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

Refrigerate the Dough: Wrap the dough in wax paper and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours.

Roll the Dough into Balls: In a small bowl stir together the ingredients for the cinnamon-sugar coating. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Using two tablespoons of dough each roll into tall oblong balls. Roll the dough balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture coating thoroughly.

Bake: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Farenheight. Place nine dough balls on a cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes for soft cookies or 15 minutes for crunchier cookies. Allow the cookies to cool for about 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Baking Tip: My mom's trick for evenly baked cookies is to rotate the cookies while they bake. Place the first baking sheet of cookies on the lower rack of the oven and bake until they begin to spread out (usually the same amount of time it takes me to divvy out the dough onto the second baking sheet.) Move the first baking sheet of cookies to the top rack and rotate 180-degrees to finish baking and place the second baking sheet of cookies on the bottom rack. Continue this process until all of the cookies have been baked.

Tips

• Allow the melted butter to cool slightly so that it doesn't melt the sugar. Mixing the butter in when it is too hot can cause the snickerdoodles to become greasy.
• Use room temperature eggs and sourdough discard. Chilled eggs or sourdough discard may cause some of the butter to resolidify prematurely. To quickly bring the eggs to room temperature, place them in a bowl of warm water for 10-15 minutes.
• If you don't have cream of tartar: Substitute 2 teaspoons of baking powder for BOTH the cream of tartar AND the baking soda.
• You must chill the dough for at least 2-3 hours before baking. Because we browned the butter the fats need to re-solidify. Chilling also allows the sugar to absorb more liquid further solidifying the dough. If the dough is baked without chilling it first, the cookies will spread while baking and become thin, hard, and crispy. 
• Roll the dough into tall oblong balls. This shape will help make sure the cookie is soft in the middle and crispy on the edges.
• Baking times for all recipes are only suggestions. The actual baking time will vary depending upon your oven. It is helpful to know your oven and worth purchasing an inexpensive oven thermometer. Oven temperatures can vary as much as 50 degrees plus or minus.
• Allow the cookies to cool for 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. These snickerdoodles are so soft and gooey they may fall apart if you try to move them too soon.

Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions

Make-Ahead: You can mix up the cookie dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Storing: Baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Freezing Cookie Dough: Unbaked cookie dough balls can be frozen for up to 3 months.

After rolling the dough into balls place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, remove from the baking sheet and place in a zip-top bag. Label with the date and contents.

When you are ready to bake, remove the balls from the freezer, let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, pre-heat the oven, and then roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Freezing Baked Cookies: Baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Once the cookies have cooled completely, place them on a sheet pan and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight container or zip-top bag. Label with the date and contents.

Thaw frozen cookies overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter.

If you are new to sourdough starters, I've created a sourdough gift guide that lists all of my favorite sourdough products.

If you have ever struggled with dry crumbly cookie dough you will want to check out my tips on how to fix it.

📖 Recipe

Sourdough Snickerdoodle Cookies with Brown Butter

Author: Erica Schramek

These Perfect Sourdough Discard Snickerdoodle Cookies with Brown Butter are buttery and soft with a crispy cinnamon-sugar crust.

4.50 from 14 votes

Cook Mode

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 35 minutes mins

Cook Time 11 minutes mins

Chill Time 2 hours hrs 28 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Course Cookie Recipes

Cuisine American

Servings 18 Cookies

Calories 189 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  light-colored sauce pan
• ▢
  stand mixer
• ▢
  cookie sheet
• ▢
  rubber spatula

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

Snickerdoodle Cookies

• ▢ 12 tablespoons unsalted butter browned and cooled
• ▢ ¾ cup brown sugar
• ▢ ¼ cup white granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 egg yolks room-temperature
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ▢ ½ cup sourdough discard room-temperature
• ▢ 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 2 cups bread flour

Cinnamon-Sugar Coating

• ▢ ¼ cup granulated white sugar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

 

Snickerdoodle Cookies

• Slice the 12 tablespoons unsalted butter into pieces and melt it in a light-colored skillet over medium heat stirring or whisking constantly. Once melted, the butter will begin to foam. Continue stirring/whisking for about 5-7 minutes, the butter will become a deep amber color. Remove the browned butter from the heat, and pour it into a bowl. Allow the butter to cool for 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl add the browned butter, ¾ cup brown sugar, and ¼ cup white granulated sugar. Whisk until there are no lumps of brown sugar. Add the 2 egg yolks and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Whisk together until smooth. Fold in the ½ cup sourdough discard.
• Stir in the 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Add the 2 cups bread flour and stir until just combined. Wrap the dough in wax paper and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours.

Cinnamon-Sugar Coating

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl stir together the ¼ cup granulated white sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon for the cinnamon-sugar coating.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Using two tablespoons of dough each roll into tall oblong balls. Roll the dough balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture coating thoroughly.
• Place nine dough balls on a cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes for soft cookies or 15 minutes for crunchier cookies. Allow the cookies to cool for about 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Measuring Ingredients: Using a digital kitchen scale is the most accurate way to measure your ingredients. If you don't have a kitchen scale you can measure the ingredients by volume but be careful when measuring the flour. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it with the back of a butter knife. Try not to compress the flour into the measuring cup. Too much flour creates dense cookies.

Salt: For all of my recipes, I use Morton Kosher Salt which packs more densely than Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt. If you are using Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt you will want to double the amount of salt you add.

Butter: If you only have salted butter you will need to omit the salt in the recipe. There is about ¼ teaspoon of salt per stick of salted butter.

Cream of Tarter: If you don't have cream of tarter you can substitute two teaspoons of baking powder for BOTH the cream of tartar AND the baking soda.

Storage: Baked snickerdoodle cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for two to three weeks.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 189kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 131mgPotassium: 88mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 264IUVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 0.3mg

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @raspberriesandkohlrabi or tag #raspberriesandkohlrabi!

More Cookie Recipes:

• Amaretto Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Bacon Grease Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chocolate Iced Amaretto Sugar Cookies
• Salted Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies with Caramel
• Caramel Filled Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

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