Soft and Chewy Valentine’s Day Sourdough Discard Sugar Cookies Recipe

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by baking a batch of delightful Soft and Chewy Sourdough Discard Sugar Cookies-Valentine’s Day Sourdough Sweethearts? These heart-shaped treats are not only delicious but also a fantastic way to utilize your sourdough starter discard. Let’s dive into the recipe and make this Valentine’s Day extra special!

Ingredients

To whip up these delectable cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:

1. Unsalted Butter (1 cup / 227g)
   • Purpose: Butter serves multiple functions in baking. It provides flavor, contributes to the tender and moist texture of the cookies, and aids in leavening by trapping air during the creaming process.
2. Granulated Sugar (1 cup / 200g)
   • Purpose: Sugar sweetens the cookies and plays a crucial role in their structure. It helps to tenderize the dough by inhibiting gluten formation and assists in browning during baking.
3. Large Egg
   • Purpose: Eggs provide structure, leavening, and moisture. The proteins in eggs help bind the ingredients together, contributing to the cookie’s stability and texture. digitalcommons.unl.edu
4. Sourdough Starter (Discard or Active) (1/2 cup / 120g)
   • Purpose: Incorporating sourdough starter adds a subtle tangy flavor to the cookies and acts as an additional leavening agent, enhancing the texture.
5. Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon)
   • Purpose: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies, adding a sweet and aromatic note.
6. All-Purpose Flour (3 cups / 360g)
   • Purpose: Flour provides the primary structure to the cookies. The proteins in wheat flour form gluten when mixed with water, creating an elastic framework that traps leavening gases during baking.
7. Baking Powder (1/2 teaspoon)
   • Purpose: Baking powder is a leavening agent that releases carbon dioxide when moistened and heated, causing the dough to rise and resulting in light, airy cookies.
8. Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
   • Purpose: Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and strengthens the dough by tightening the gluten structure.
9. Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon)
   • Purpose: Lemon juice is used to create natural food coloring when combined with beet juice, providing a pink hue without artificial dyes.
10. Beet Juice (1/4 cup)
    • Purpose: Beet juice acts as a natural coloring agent, imparting a pink color to the frosting.
11. Powdered Sugar (2 cups)
    • Purpose: Powdered sugar is used in the frosting to provide a smooth, sweet base that easily dissolves and spreads over the cookies.
12. Milk (2-3 tablespoons)
    • Purpose: Milk adjusts the consistency of the frosting, making it spreadable. It also adds a slight richness to the flavor.
13. Sprinkles (Optional)
    • Purpose: Sprinkles add decorative appeal and a slight crunch to the finished cookies, enhancing their visual and textural qualities.

Directions

Follow these steps to create your Valentine’s Day SourdoughDiscard Sugar Cookies:

1. Prepare the Dough
   • Process: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream them together on medium speed until the mixture becomes light in color and fluffy in texture. This process incorporates air into the mixture, which helps leaven the cookies.
2. Add Wet Ingredients
   • Process: Add the large egg to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until fully incorporated. Then, pour in the sourdough starter and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the batter is smooth and homogeneous. The sourdough starter not only adds flavor but also contributes to the leavening process.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients
   • Process: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed. Continue until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough cookies due to excessive gluten development.
4. Chill Dough
   • Process: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disk shape, which makes rolling out easier after chilling. Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours; this chilling step solidifies the fat in the dough, making it easier to handle and helping the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
5. Roll and Cut
   • Process: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to a uniform thickness of about 1/4 inch. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, press firmly into the dough to cut out the cookies. Transfer the cut-out shapes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading. Gather any dough scraps, re-roll them, and continue cutting out cookies until all the dough is used.
6. Bake
   • Process: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Baking times may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the cookies, so keep a close eye on them to prevent overbaking. Once done, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes. This initial cooling allows the cookies to firm up, making them easier to transfer. Then, move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
7. Prepare Frosting
   • Process: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, beet juice, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Stir the mixture until it becomes smooth and reaches a spreadable consistency. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk.
8. Decorate :
   • Apply Icing: Once the cookies are completely cooled, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread a thin layer of icing over each cookie.
   • Add Decorations: While the icing is still wet, sprinkle with colored sugars, nonpareils, or other decorative toppings as desired. Allow the icing to set before serving or storing the cookies.

Tips for Success

• Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing the dough can develop excess gluten, resulting in tougher cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Chilling the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! It helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
• Natural Food Coloring: Using beet juice provides a lovely pink hue without artificial dyes. If beet juice isn’t available, consider using a few drops of red food coloring.
• Sourdough Starter: Both active and discard sourdough starter work in this recipe. Using discard adds a subtle tangy flavor to the cookies.

How to Store Sourdough Valentine’s Day Cookies

Proper storage is essential to maintain the freshness and texture of your Sourdough Discard Sugar Cookies:

• Room Temperature: Once baked and fully cooled, place the cookies in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week. To keep them soft, consider adding a slice of fresh white bread to the container; the moisture from the bread helps prevent the cookies from drying out.
• Refrigeration: It’s generally not recommended to store baked cookies in the refrigerator, as the dry environment can cause them to become stale more quickly.
• Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cookies. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Properly stored, they can last up to three months. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature.

More Ideas to Decorate Valentine’s Day Sourdough Cookies

Elevate the appearance of your Valentine’s Day cookies with these creative decoration ideas:

• Royal Icing Designs: Use royal icing to create intricate patterns, such as lace or filigree, on heart-shaped cookies. This icing dries hard, making it ideal for detailed designs.
• Natural Food Coloring: Incorporate natural hues by using beet juice for pinks and reds or matcha powder for greens. These not only add color but also a subtle flavor.
• Edible Flowers: Garnish your cookies with edible flowers like pansies or violets to add a romantic and elegant touch.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt dark or white chocolate and drizzle it over the cookies. For added flair, sprinkle crushed freeze-dried strawberries or raspberries on top before the chocolate sets.
• Personalized Messages: Use letter-shaped cookie cutters or piping techniques to add personalized messages or initials, making each cookie unique and special.

Substitutions & Variations

Tailor your sourdough cookies to suit dietary preferences or to experiment with flavors:

• Butter: Replace unsalted butter with plant-based margarine or coconut oil for a dairy-free option. Note that coconut oil may impart a slight coconut flavor.
• Sugar: Substitute granulated sugar with coconut sugar or maple sugar for a deeper, caramel-like flavor. Keep in mind, this may slightly alter the color and texture of the cookies.
• Egg: For an egg-free version, use a flaxseed meal mixture (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water, let sit until gel-like) as a binding agent.
• Flour: Whole wheat pastry flour can replace all-purpose flour for a nuttier taste and added fiber. Alternatively, a gluten-free flour blend can be used to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
• Sourdough Starter: If you don’t have a sourdough starter, substitute with an equal amount of buttermilk or yogurt to maintain the moisture and slight tanginess in the cookies.

Baking these 🌸🎀Soft and Chewy Sourdough Discard Sugar Cookies-Valentine’s Day Sourdough Sweethearts🌸🎀 is a delightful way to celebrate love and share sweet moments with your loved ones. The combination of a soft, chewy texture and a hint of tanginess from the sourdough makes these cookies truly special. Happy Valentine’s Day, and happy baking!

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