Sourdough Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies are an under-appreciated cookie but are so delicious and easy to make. My sourdough shortbread cookies strike a perfect balance of sweet and buttery flavors and have a unique sourdough twist. Combined with a delightfully crumbly texture and crisp golden edges, this buttery cookie recipe is sure to be a hit.
Why You Will Love these Sourdough Shortbread Cookies
Sourdough shortbread cookies are easy to make. This simple recipe requires only a few pantry staple ingredients you likely already have. These buttery shortbread cookies are a great recipe to have on hand. They can be made into several different variations. I used this base recipe for several of my other sourdough cookie recipes. These include my sourdough thumbprint cookies, my maple pecan sourdough shortbread cookies, my sourdough honey lavender shortbread cookies, my sourdough lemon bars, and my lemon sourdough shortbread cookies, and my sourdough dark chocolate chocolate orange shortbread cookies (the hint of orange zest flavor in these cookies is so good!).
How to Use Sourdough Starter in Shortbread Cookies
The key to making good shortbread cookies with sourdough starter is not adding too much liquid. Liquid causes cookies to spread and become puffy, which is not the texture we want to achieve with shortbread cookies.
This recipe requires no eggs. The only liquid comes from the starter and the small amount of vanilla extract. The result is delightfully crumbly and buttery cookies you expect from a perfect classic shortbread cookie.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Butter: This recipe calls for unsalted butter but you can also use salted butter if that is what you have on hand.
- Sugar
- Sourdough starter: Use 100% hydration starter for this recipe. It can be active sourdough starter or sourdough discard straight from the fridge.
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Flour: This recipe uses all purpose flour but you can also use bread flour if desired.
- Optional variation: If you want to give these sourdough discard shortbread cookies a little bit of extra flavor, you can add lemon zest (about the zest from 1 lemon) to the recipe. This will brighten the flavors of the cookies and is a great variation for the spring time.
A Little Bit of Science
You will notice that there is no leavening agent (like baking soda or baking powder) in these cookies. We actually do not want the cookies to rise or spread for the optimal texture so we avoid these ingredients in this recipe.
How to Make Sourdough Discard Shortbread Cookies
Step 1: Mix the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed. If you do not have a stand mixer you can mix these by hand or use a hand mixer.
Step 2: Add the salt, sourdough starter and vanilla.
Step 4: With the mixer set to low speed, slowly add the flour.
Step 5: Turn the shortbread dough onto a work surface and shape into an approximate 14 inch log. Roll in sugar.
Alternative Shaping Options
If you want to make your shortbread cookies more festive, you can roll out the dough until it is 1/3 inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create fun shapes. This is fun and festive around the holidays. You can use a heart-shaped cookie cutter around Valentine’s Day (also check out my sourdough strawberry cinnamon roll recipe). You can also use Christmas cookie cutters to create a cute Christmas cookie tray or holiday cookie box.
Step 6: Chill for 1 hour.
Step 7: Slice into 1/3 inch cookies and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 8: Bake for 12-15 minutes. The edges should start to turn golden brown when done. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
How to Make Ahead
These delicious cookies can easily be made ahead of time. There are two ways to do this:
- You can freeze the baked cookies in a gallon freezer safe bag.
- Cut the log of cookie dough in half after you roll it in the sugar. Wrap each half in plastic wrap and place in a gallon freezer bag. Store in the freezer until ready to use. Allow the dough to defrost in the fridge several hours before you are ready to bake. This makes them much easier to slice.
How to Store
Store these sourdough cookies in an airtight container such as a gallon Ziploc bag, a storage container, or on a plate covered with plastic wrap. These cookies are best enjoyed within 3-4 days but will last up to a week at room temperature.
If you love sourdough discard recipes and sweet treats, check out these other popular sourdough cookies:
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sourdough Blueberry Lemon Scones
Simple Sourdough Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup sourdough starter active starter or unfed discard from the fridge
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2¼ cup all purpose flour
For Coating the Shortbread Dough
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium speed.
- Add the sourdough starter, salt and vanilla and continue mix until fully combined.
- Set the stand mixer to low speed and slowly add the flour. Mix until just fully combined.
- Transfer the dough to a work surface. Use your hands to shape and roll the dough into an approximate 14 inch log. Try to roll it into a smooth cylinder with few wrinkles or creases.
- Pour the remaining 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar on the work surface along the long side of the shortbread dough. Roll the dough to completely coat it in the sugar.
- Cut the dough in half and wrap the pieces in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour or up to 48 hours for a long ferment.
When Ready to Bake
- Preheat oven to 375℉.
- Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Use a sharp kitchen knife to cut the dough into approximate 1/3 inch discs.
- Place the shortbread cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart.
- Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown.
- Allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Going to make these today. Thanks for sharing! Do they store well in the freezer?
Yes they do. I made some before Christmas and froze them ahead of time. Hope this helps!
Do you store the raw dough in the freezer? or freeze after baking?
You can do either. I have made these and baked them ahead of time and they still tasted great after defrosting. For the best flavor, however, I would recommend freezing the dough and baking fresh when ready to use. I hope this helps!
Can’t wait to try with my discard
The part of the recipe shown in pictures says to slice 1/2” thick. Later on in the recipe it says 1/2”. Which is it? Thanks
Hi Glennie,
Sorry about that. I recommend 1/3 inch for cookies with edges that are golden and crispy. I updated the post to reflect that. Thank you for pointing that out!
I only have salted butter, should I omit or change the amount of salt I add for this recipe?
Hi Lindsey,
You can reduce the salt in the recipe by half. I hope this helps!
Delicious!! I just made these with sourdough discard. I can’t wait to try them with citrus zest next!!
I used 1/4 C of Almond Flour, and reduced the recommended 2 1/4 C AP Flour by 1/4C. I also added 1/2 t of Almond Flavoring. These were delicious!!! Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you for sharing! I love hearing all the creative ways you mix up these recipes. I am so glad you like them!
I used this recipe to make about 85 shaped cookies for a rehearsal dinner. Everyone raved about them. Thanks to you for the great recipe!
Just made these, and dipped half in melted chocolate. 10/10! So good!
These are D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! I took another reviewers comment and subbed in a 1/4 cup almond flour for a 1/4 of the all purpose flour and added in 1/2 tsp almond extract! Used my discard in the fridge! So excited to bring these along on a little road trip tomorrow!!!
I tried these and the cookies spread to almost flat, I’m not sure why they didn’t hold their shape. Any suggestions on why that may have happened?
Oh no I’m so sorry that happened. Are you sure you used the right amount of flour? That is the only thing I think would make these turn out flat. I have made these many times and have never had that issue.
Absolutely delicious 😋
Shortbread cookies or my favorite and these so good!! Easy to make, thank you so much for sharing.
Does the butter need to be at room temp?
The butter is easier to cream together if it is at room temperature. Thank you for the comment.
So delicious! Buttery, sweet, with a sourdough tang aftertaste. The recipe made a lot of cookies too. Will definitely be making these again!
Amazing!!! Going to do almond extract next go around!!
What a surprise! Great variation on a basic sugar cookie. These cookies are tangy, refreshing, simple, yet packed with flavor. I’ll definitely be making these again.
Although mine did not look as pretty as yours, they were FABULOUS!!! Really easy to make as well. Serving them to my mahjong group on Tuesday so am super excited! I did use the lemon zest which I think added some great flavor. Was fun using some of my discard as well. Thanks for a great recipe!
Would this recipe work to do a cut cookie? After taking it out of the fridge, could I roll it out and use a cookie cutter?
Yes you definitely can!
Soooo scrumptious!
Thank you for the most satisfyingly addicted cookie I ever tasted. Instantly hooked! I even made them for my neighbor! These are the best shortbread cookie ever!
Thank you so much for the kind feedback! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
These cookies are going to be a staple in my house! I’m going to make some and keep in the freezer but I wanted to know, should I put them in the freezer before or after letting them sit in the fridge fermenting?
Hi Kim,
I would put them in the freezer after letting them ferment and then pull them out when you are ready to bake and use.
Tasty and not too sweet! I coated half in semisweet chocolate and they were a bit crumbly but delish!! Will make again!
These cookies are AMAZING. I plan to make some dough to freeze. How do you recommend thawing/baking? Should I thaw in the fridge then slice and bake for the same amount of time? Or cut when still semi-frozen and bake longer?
Hi Cathy, I have not tried freezing the dough. I have however, frozen the baked cookies and they did great when I pulled them out. If I were to freeze the dough I would probably try freezing the whole roll and then defrosting in the fridge the day before you plan to bake them. Let me know how they turn out if you try it!
Amazing!! Simple and easy but incredibly tasty cookies!! A new favorite for sure!!
Everyone loves these!!! Truly, thank you!! I also sub 1/4 c almond flour and 1/2t of almond extract I add in addition to vanilla. YUM!
Hi Jessica!
I’ve seen regular (not sourdough) recipes for rosemary or lemon rosemary shortbread bars. Have you tried making these into bars and have you tried making rosemary or lemon rosemary versions? I’d like to make them for a gathering tomorrow night. Thanks so much!
Hi Ashleigh, that sounds amazing! I have not tried rosemary but I do have a recipe on my site for lemon shortbread cookies as well as for lavender shortbread. You could try making the lemon shortbread recipe and adding a bit of chopped fresh rosemary. Thanks for the comment and I might just have to test out a recipe for a rosemary shortbread!
Followed the recipe exactly and these are so delicious. This is the first recipe I used from your page and I can’t wait to try Sourdough Lemon Crinkle Cookies and Honey Lavender Sourdough Shortbread Cookies.
Thank you for a great recipe.
Thank you Mary Jo! I am so glad to hear they worked out well for you!
Best recipe!