Description

Sourdough Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies with Starter Discard are the ultimate cozy fall treat—a perfect marriage of warm pumpkin spice, gooey chocolate, and the subtle tang of sourdough discard. This recipe reduces kitchen waste by transforming leftover starter into tender, flavorful cookies that fill your home with comfort. You’ll learn the heartwarming story behind the cookies, detailed ingredients and method, expert tips for ideal texture, and answers to common baking questions. Grab your sourdough discard and let autumn’s best flavors shine in every chewy, melty bite.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup sourdough starter discard (unfed)

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, white chocolate chips, or pumpkin seeds

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.

3. Add pumpkin puree, sourdough starter discard, egg, and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

6. Fold in chocolate chips and any optional mix-ins by hand.

7. Cover dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

8. Scoop two tablespoons of dough per cookie onto prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.

9. Bake for 11–13 minutes until edges are golden and centers are set.

10. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 11–13 minutes
Category: dessert
Method: baking
Cuisine: american

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie

Keywords: sourdough cookies, pumpkin cookies, chocolate chip, starter discard, fall baking, cozy treats, waste reduction, handmade cookies