Sourdough Molasses Cookies with Fresh Milled Flour

I love finding creative ways to use up my sourdough discard, especially during the holiday season. These sourdough molasses cookies are the perfect holiday bake, and you’ll get a pop of nutrition from fresh milled grains!

The tangy flavor of the sourdough pairs beautifully with the rich molasses and cozy spices. You’ll have soft, chewy cookies that are sure to become a new family favorite and might even score you some points at a cookie exchange.

Baking desserts with sourdough and whole grains just makes me feel better about eating sweets knowing we are at least getting some good digestion and beneficial vitamins.

In the mood for more whole wheat sourdough recipes? Give it a go with Sourdough English Muffins, Sourdough Challah, Sourdough Focaccia, Sourdough Apple Pie Cobbler, Sourdough Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, or Sourdough Pretzel Buns.

Looking for yeast baked goods? Try some of our favorites, like Fresh Milled Milk Bread, Dinner Rolls, Crescent Rolls, Texas Roadhouse Rolls, English Muffins, Hawaiian Rolls, or Ciabatta Rolls.

Why You’ll Love Sourdough Molasses Cookies

• No-Waste: You use up that sourdough discard you’d otherwise throw out or give up on. Feels good, tastes even better.
• Richer Flavor & Texture. Fresh milled flour adds a nutty, hearty depth you don’t get with standard store flour. It’s a subtle earthy sweetness that pairs amazingly with molasses and ginger.
• More Nutrients & Fiber: Because both the bran and germ are included, you get more fiber, vitamins, and a more wholesome feel than AP flour. You’re elevating the flavor and boosting nutrition in these sourdough molasses cookies.

New to Fresh Milled Flour? Read more about it in our Beginner’s Guide or more about the Best Grains to Use.

Sourdough Discard Molasses Cookie Recipe

Tools

• Grain Mill
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
• Spatula
• Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Baking Mats
• Baking Tray
• Cooling Racks

Ingredients

• 3 Cups (575g) Soft Wheat Berries (or bagged whole wheat)
• 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
• 1.5 Cups (260g) Brown Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 Cup Molasses
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Cup (130g) Sourdough Discard
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Baking Soda
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• 2 tsp Ginger
• 1/2 tsp Cloves
• 1/4 Cup Sugar, reserved for rolling dough balls

Notes:

• Store dough in fridge between batches, while baking
• You can use this recipe with all-purpose or gluten free flour, but you may need to adjust the amount of flour you use
• You can freeze the dough balls and remove as needed for cooking, adding a couple minutes to the baking time
• Store baked cookies in the freezer for 2-3 months
• Makes about 36 cookies

Step-By-Step Sourdough Whole Wheat Molasses Cookies

Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream softened butter and brown sugar for 2-3 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Then add the molasses, eggs, discard, and vanilla to the butter mixture and mix until well combined. It will look a little grainy, don’t worry.

Make Dough: Mill wheat berries into mixing bowl and add salt, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices to mixing bowl. Mix until the dough is formed. Cover and refrigerate dough for 1-2 hours. Chilling the dough helps the flour to hydrate fully and to prevent too much spreading.

Roll Cookies: When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape dough into smooth balls, about 1 inch in size. Roll dough balls in 1/4 cup reserved sugar.

Bake Cookies: Place dough balls about 2-3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake 10-13 minutes, or until tops of cookies are cracked and look set, don’t overbake. Remove from oven and let rest on the pan for a couple of minutes, then move to a cooling rack.

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for 5-7 days.

Enjoy these delightfully chewy, spiced sourdough discard molasses cookies this holiday season! The perfect snack for gatherings, cookie exchanges, or an afternoon treat with a cup of tea.

Let us know if you try our sourdough molasses cookie recipe, or if you have any other fun ways to use your sourdough discard in cookies. Try our Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies or Snickerdoodles for other fun cookie recipes.