recipe

Soft and Fragrant Kefir Cookies

Name: Soft and Fragrant Kefir Cookies
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 30 cookies
Ingredients: all-purpose flour, 200g (1 + 2/3 cups); bread flour, 30g (1/4 cup); egg yolk, 1; kefir, 100ml (1/2 cup); sugar, 70g (1/3 cup); vegetable oil, 40ml (3 tbsp); baking powder, 1 tsp; powdered sugar, as needed

Total time: 60 mins.

Difficulty: Low

Serves: 30 cookies

These little treats are soft, sweet, and easy to prepare. All you need is kefir, flour, egg yolk, sugar, vegetable oil, and baking powder. About 15 minutes in the oven is all it takes to turn them into a batch of lovely homemade cookies. They would be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys soft-baked treats rather than crunchy, snap-in-half biscuits.

What Are Kefir Cookies?

Kefir cookies are small, soft-baked treats made using kefir, a fermented milk drink known for its tangy flavor and creamy consistency. Kefir is commonly used in baking because its acidity can react with raising agents such as baking soda, while its moisture helps create tender doughs.

This recipe uses two types of flour, all-purpose flour and bread flour. All-purpose flour provides the main structure, while bread flour introduces additional protein, which influences the dough's texture.

Pro Tips for the Best Kefir Cookies

Choose natural kefir without added fruit, flavourings, or sugar. This gives you better control over the sweetness and allows the gentle tang of the fermented milk to complement the other ingredients.
Don't panic about sticky dough, as the dough will not resemble traditional firm biscuit dough immediately after mixing. Resist the temptation to keep adding flour, as doing so can make the finished cookies heavier.
Coat every ball properly: Roll each dough ball around in the powdered sugar until completely covered. This gives the cookies their characteristic sweet exterior. If the coating looks patchy, add a little more powdered sugar.
Leave enough room between the cookies on the baking tray, as they need room to expand slightly during baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is My Kefir Cookie Dough So Sticky?

Kefir provides moisture, and the combination of wet ingredients and flour creates a softer mixture than traditional cookie dough. The refrigerator rest helps solve this problem by allowing the dough to firm up before shaping.

Can I Make the Cookies Without Vegetable Oil?

Vegetable oil contributes moisture and helps keep the cookies tender. If you don't have it, a neutral-flavoured oil such as sunflower or rapeseed oil can be used instead. Avoid strongly flavoured oils because they may affect the taste of the cookies.

Can I Freeze Kefir Cookie Dough?

You can prepare the dough ahead of time and freeze it for convenient baking later. For easier preparation, you can also portion the dough into individual balls before freezing. Arrange them on a tray until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator until it is manageable, coat the balls in powdered sugar, and bake. Allow for a little extra time if necessary.

How to Store Kefir Cookies

You can store the cooled cookies in a dry place for 3-4 days, away from direct sunlight and heat. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week. If you prefer them warm, just place them in the microwave for a few seconds.

Ingredients

all-purpose flour

200g (1 + 2/3 cups)

bread flour

30g (1/4 cup)

egg yolk

kefir

100ml (1/2 cup)

sugar

70g (1/3 cup)

vegetable oil

40ml (3 tbsp)

baking powder

1 tsp

powdered sugar

as needed

How to Make Kefir Cookies

Step 1

Add kefir, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and egg yolk in a bowl.

Step 2

Using a spoon, mix everything until the ingredients form a smooth mixture.

Step 3

Next, add the all-purpose flour, bread flour, and baking powder to the bowl. Stir everything until you have a homogeneous dough.

Step 4

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave it to rest for 30 minutes. Once the dough has chilled, take small portions of dough and roll them between your palms to create balls weighing 15g each.