The countdown to Christmas has begun, which means for most bakers out there, you’ll be furiously planning your festive menu in the hopes of blowing the socks off your family at Christmas lunch.
To help bring a little sourdough flavour to your festive menu this Christmas, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite sourdough christmas recipes that will wipe the floor clean with your aunty's famous cob loaf.
From traditional gingerbread cookies to fruit mince pies to Aussie lamingtons, I’ve carefully curated the perfect menu of Christmas recipes to make this holiday season one to remember – and to put you in a carb coma for about a week.
1. Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies
No Christmas would be complete without gingerbread cookies, so it would be criminal for me not to include them at the top of my list!
This simple sourdough gingerbread cookie recipe uses 150 grams of your sourdough discard.
It also includes all of the usual ingredients, such as butter, sugar, egg, golden syrup, vanilla, baking powder, salt and spices and makes a lot of cookies, so they are perfect if you’re cooking for a big family. You can design them however you like, but you can’t go wrong with cutting into gingerbread men and decorating with some royal icing.
2. Sourdough Garlic & Herb Pull Apart Loaf
Okay, let’s be real, garlic bread is already amazing. But sourdough garlic bread that pulls apart in buttery, herby layers? Next level. This Sourdough Garlic & Herb Pull Apart Loaf is the kind of bake that makes you feel like a total pro, even if you’re just here for the carbs (no judgment). It’s golden, soft, garlicky, and seriously addictive.
The sourdough base gives it a little tang and chew, while the garlic herb butter seeps into every layer for that perfect savoury bite.
3. Sourdough Christmas Pudding
Fun fact: did you know that Christmas pudding was traditionally referred to as “plum pudding” despite not containing plums? This is because the term “plum” was often used to refer to raisins in the 18th Century.
While this sourdough Christmas pudding recipe does not contain plums, it is packed full of flavour. For this recipe you’ll need about four tablespoons of sourdough starter, as well as all the usual suspects, such as raisins, dried fruit, nuts, spices, flour and eggs. Serve with some custard or hard sauce and bon appetit!
4. White Choc and Cranberry Discard Cookies
Ever crave a cookie that tastes bakery-level amazing but still uses up the sourdough discard sitting in your fridge? If so, these White Choc and Cranberry Discard Cookies are about to become your new go-to bake. Soft, chewy, and studded with creamy white chocolate and tart cranberries, they strike the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and festive no special occasion required.
5. Sourdough Crackers with Olive Oil and Herbs
Anyone who has been to a Christmas Day feast knows that you guests will be grazing all day, which is why these sourdough crackers are a great option for your pre-Christmas-lunch nibbles.
For this easy recipe you’ll need sourdough starter, dried herbs, butter, and salt. Sprinkle some sea salt (like Salt Bae) onto the crackers when you’re ready to serve and that’s all there is to it.
6. Sourdough Cinnamon Scrolls
Cinnamon scrolls are a much-loved treat in America which originated in Sweden and Denmark. The sweet, sticky and moreish sweets consist of a rolled sheet of dough, which is then sprinkled with a cinnamon and sugar mixture and then either baked or deep fried.
The main ingredients in these sourdough cinnamon scrolls are flour, cinnamon, sugar, and butter, as well as 200 grams of active sourdough starter. Once baked, drizzle the buns with a mixture of soft cheese, sugar and vanilla for a one-way ride to flavourtown.
7. Sourdough Granola
Are you a sourdough enthusiast looking to expand your repertoire beyond bread? Or perhaps you're just someone who enjoys a hearty, wholesome breakfast that's both delicious and nutritious? Look no further, as we introduce you to the delightful world of Sourdough Granola. This unique twist on traditional granola will add a burst of flavour and texture to your morning routine. Plus, most granola’s require a lot of honey or sugar to bind the clusters together making them a little on the unhealthy side. The addition of sourdough starter helps to bind the granola clusters and give you some gut-loving benefits too!
8. Sourdough Bread Stuffing
For anyone looking to take their Christmas turkey game to the next level, this sourdough bread stuffing recipe will blow your Uncle Mike’s toupee right off!
Serving between six to eight people, this recipe contains about one pound (or, 450 grams) of sourdough bread which you will need to cut or tear into small cubes before mixing with your celery, onion, mushrooms and herbs. You won’t need to sacrifice any sourdough starter for this one, but you will need to source a freshly-baked sourdough loaf, or bake one yourself.
9. Easy Sourdough Panettone Recipe
There are so many delicious Christmas treats that come from all over the world. One that comes from Italy, but has fans from all over is the panettone. A rich and buttery bread, filled with dried fruits and candied citrus peel, panettone is a must-have on your Christmas menu.
Often panettone can take three days to make, but this sourdough panettone recipe will take bakers less than a day. You’ll need to add about 50 grams of sourdough starter to a mixture of flour, water, eggs, milk, sugar and dried fruit. What you’ll get is sweet bread with little nuggets of deliciousness throughout.
10. Cheesy Ham & Sage Pull-Apart Sourdough
Warm, cheesy, and irresistibly pull-apart soft, this Cheesy Ham & Sage Pull-Apart Sourdough is the kind of bake that turns a simple meal into a moment. Imagine layers of fluffy sourdough brushed with butter, folded with smoky ham, melted cheese, and fragrant sage, all baked into a golden loaf that begs to be shared.
It’s a brilliant way to use up leftover ham without getting sick of leftovers, giving them a whole new life in a loaf that tastes anything but repetitive.
11. Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Indulge your senses with a delightful twist on a classic favourite, Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies. Combining the depth of sourdough starter with the irresistible sweetness of chocolate chips, these cookies offer a perfect balance of flavours in every bite. Soft and chewy with a hint of crunch, they are sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. The secret ingredient? A sprinkle of flakey sea salt that elevates these cookies to a whole new level of deliciousness. Simple to make and impossible to resist, these Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies are guaranteed to disappear from your kitchen in no time.
12. Sourdough Crumpets Recipe
Last but not least, Sourdough Crumpets. Quick, easy, and unbelievably tasty. In just 10-15 minutes, you’ll have crumpets ready to enjoy with butter, jam, or whatever toppings you love. It’s the perfect way to give your sourdough discard a second life while expanding your baking skills.
Now you’re in the Christmas spirit, make sure to take some of that energy to the kitchen and whip up some of these sourdough recipes for yourself. With only a few days to go until Saint Nick arrives, we’ve also compiled a list of some of the best gifts for bakers this Christmas, which you can check out for yourself and send to a loved one as a not-so-subtle hint.
Be sure to follow You Knead Sourdough on Facebook and Instagram, or tag us at @youkneadsourdough so I can marvel at your sourdough creations this Christmas.