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These Double Choc Macadamia Sourdough Cookies are a great way to use up leftover sourdough starter and a great way to reduce waste in the kitchen. I like to add some discard for extra fudgy deliciousness. Of course, you can still make these rich, chocolatey cookies without the discard and they will still be a tasty treat.
Health benefits
The sourdough discard adds beneficial wild yeasts and lactic acid, which can make the cookies easier to digest. Macadamias contribute heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and minerals such as magnesium and manganese, while dark chocolate delivers antioxidants and a gentle boost of mood-lifting compounds.
Ingredients
This recipe combines simple pantry staples, including spelt flour, butter, egg, cacao powder, dark chocolate and macadamias, with the addition of sourdough discard for a beautiful texture and flavour. Coconut sugar and a touch of rice-malt syrup or honey keep these cookies naturally sweet without refined sugar.
How to make these Double Choc Macadamia Sourdough Cookies
Start by mixing all the wet ingredients and dry ingredients in a bowl until a soft dough forms. Roll the dough into balls, flatten slightly on a lined tray, and bake until set around the edges but still soft in the centre. The result is a batch of gorgeously rich cookies with chunks of melted dark chocolate and buttery roasted nuts in every bite.
Serving suggestions and how to store
These cookies are delicious straight from the oven, slightly warm with melted chocolate pockets, or cooled and crisped up for a firmer texture. Store them in an airtight container in the pantry for up to a week. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake from frozen for a freshly baked cookie any time.
Vary these Choc Macadamia Sourdough Cookies to suit your dietary needs
For dairy-free or vegan, replace the butter with coconut oil and the egg with a chia egg. For nut-free, use sunflower seeds instead of macadamias, and for gluten-free, swap the spelt for a gluten-free flour mix. No sourdough discard? Simply substitute 25 g extra flour and 25 ml water.
For more sourdough discard recipes, click HERE.
Double Choc Macadamia Sourdough Cookies
Ingredients
- 200 g whiteย speltย flour (approx. 2 cups)
- ยฝ tsp baking powder
- 75 g coconut sugar or rapadura (approx. โ cup + 1 tbsp)
- 2 tbsp rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup
- ยผ tsp sea salt
- 45 g cacao powder – or good quality cocoa powder (โ cup)
- 60 g 70% dark chocolate – roughly chopped
- 60 g macadamia nuts – roughly chopped (ยฝ cup)
- 125 g butter – softened
- 1 egg/s
- 50 g sourdough discard – leftover (ยผ cup)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 175ยฐC/347ยฐF (fan-forced). Line two baking trays with baking paper.
- Add all ingredients into the bowl of the electric mixer (or a large mixing bowl if you are mixing by hand).
- Mix on low speed for approximately 1 minute or until the mixture comes together to form cookie dough.
- Scoop approximately a tablespoon of cookie dough into your hand and roll into a ball. Place on the lined baking tray and continue until all the dough is used up.
- Press the balls down using the palm of your hand to flatten them.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the tray for five minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Store
- The cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the pantry for up to a week.
Notes
No Sourdough Discard
If you do not have any sourdough discard, you can replace it with 25g of extra spelt flour and 25 ml water.Other Nuts
Walnuts can be used in place of macadamias and are just as deliciousDairy-free & Vegan
For a vegan or dairy free version of these cookies, omit the butter and the egg and instead, add 100g of melted coconut oil and one chia egg. To make a chia egg, mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 2 tablespoons of water and allow to sit until it becomes a gel, approximately 5 minutes. When mixing, if your cookie dough seems too dry, simply add 1-2 tablespoons of water. ย ย ย ยThese deliciously fudgy cookies are my favourite, let me know in the comments below if you loved them too!
Recipe by Kristin Cosgrove
Hi, Iโm Kristin Cosgrove. Iโm a mum, student of psychology and passionate whole foods cook. I love to share my love for simple, seasonal recipes and my modern approach to cooking for my family. I live on the Surf Coast with my husband and three children.
You can find me on Instagram at @kristinjcosgrove
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Take note of the times required in this recipe. You need time to soak your cashews and also allow 6 hours (or overnight ideally) for the baked cheesecake to cool fully.
Whilst I’ve made this passionfruit, you could change the flavour to suit your taste or occasion… top with a berry or cherry compote, or stack with fresh fruit or make it indulgent by topping with chocolate ganache.
Health benefits
This vegan passion fruit cheesecake offers around 10 g of protein and 6 g of fibre, making this vegan cheesecake both satisfying and balanced. Cashews provide healthy fats and plant-based protein that help keep you full, while the coconut yoghurt adds beneficial probiotics for gut health. Passionfruit contributes vitamin C and antioxidants that support immune function and skin health. Psyllium husks are the unsung hero here, they bind the mixture beautifully and add a gentle source of soluble fibre that supports digestion and healthy cholesterol balance.
Ingredients
This wholesome cheesecake is made from nourishing staples including raw cashews, coconut yoghurt, almond meal, and desiccated coconut, all naturally sweetened with rice malt syrup, honey, or maple syrup. The base is slightly chewy and caramel-like, while the filling is smooth and tangy from lemon juice and zest. The passionfruit syrup on top adds a burst of tropical flavour that makes this dessert both refreshing and decadent.
How to make this Baked Passionfruit Cheesecake
Start by soaking the cashews until soft, then prepare the crust by combining almond meal, coconut, sweetener and coconut oil in a blender until sticky. Press into a lined tin and chill while you blend the creamy cashew filling. Once baked, the cheesecake develops a golden surface and firm texture while remaining silky inside. Top with homemade passionfruit syrup for a naturally sweet finish that complements the rich filling perfectly. Itโs best chilled overnight, allowing the flavours to meld beautifully.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve this cheesecake chilled, topped with extra fresh passionfruit or a sprinkle of toasted coconut for crunch. Itโs ideal as a summer dessert or for celebrations when you want to offer something both indulgent and nourishing. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to five days or freeze individual slices for a ready-to-go treat.
Vary this Baked Passionfruit Cheesecake to suit your needs
This recipe is naturally vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. For a low-fructose version, choose rice malt syrup as your sweetener. You can also experiment with other tropical toppings like mango, pineapple or even berries for a different flavour profile.
For more delicious, easy to make healthy cheesecake recipes, click HERE.
Baked Passionfruit Cheesecake (Vegan)
Ingredients
Base
- 120 g almond meal – (1 cup)
- 85 g desiccated coconut – (1 cup)
- 55 g coconut oil – (ยผ cup)
- 115 g rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup – (โ cup)
- 2 tbsp psyllium husks
- 1 tbsp vanilla
Filling
- 300 g raw cashew nuts – (2 cups)
- 500 g coconut yoghurt – (2 cups)
- 170 g rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup – (ยฝ cup) โ maple will make it sweeter than using rice malt
- 1 lemon/s – juice and zest
- 3 tbsp psyllium husks
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- ยฝ tsp sea salt
Passionfruit Syrup
- โ cup/s passionfruit pulp – about 4 passionfruit
- 2 tbsp rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1 tsp tapioca flour
- 1 tsp water
Instructions
- Soak the cashews for the filling in water for 4-8 hours (to speed this up, soak in boiling water for 2 hours).
- Preheat the oven to 170ยฐC/338ยฐF (fan-forced). Line a 22cm springform pan with baking paper.
- Make the base by pulsing all the base ingredients in a food processor until they come together to form a sticky dough. Press this into the baking tin, pushing up the sides to form a crust. Pop into the freezer while you make the filling.
- Make the filling by blending all the ingredients together to form a creamy mixture. Scrape the sides as required. If using a Thermomix, blend 1 minute, speed 8, MC on.
- Add the filling to the base and bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown on top and firm in the middle. Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack or in the fridge overnight (ideally).
- To make the passionfruit syrup, place the passionfruit and rice malt in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer for 4-5 minutes. Mix the tapioca and water in a small bowl and add to the syrup. Stir to thicken slightly. Allow to cool.
Serve
- Pour over the passionfruit syrup, slice and serve.
Store
- Airtight in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
Fructose friendly
Choose rice malt as your sweetener. ย ย ย ย ยย
Let me know what you thought of this delicious vegan baked cheesecake in the comments below…
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