Name: Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; ½ cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup unsalted butter (softened, for frosting); 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting); Food coloring (optional); Sprinkles (optional)

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Soft, fluffy, and just a little tangy, these Sour Cream Sugar Cookies will fill your kitchen with warmth and sweetness like a cozy hug. Picture a tray full of perfectly baked cookies, their delicate edges kissed by the oven’s heat, promising a delicious melt-in-your-mouth experience. Each bite, with its tender texture and subtle sour cream flavor, makes these cookies a delightful treat, invoking nostalgic memories of holiday gatherings and childhood baking days. There’s something so special about decorating sugar cookies together—each swirl and sprinkle turning baked goods into edible art.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Sour Cream Sugar Cookies (Soft, Fluffy, Old-Fashioned Recipe)
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

As the holidays approach, or perhaps on an ordinary afternoon craving, there’s no better excuse to roll up your sleeves and whip up a batch of these Sour Cream Sugar Cookies. The playful energy of rolling dough and the thrill of frosting each cookie will surely make your spirit soar. Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With only 25 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of baking, you can enjoy fresh cookies in no time!
Irresistible Flavor: The tanginess from the sour cream perfectly balances the sweetness, creating a cookie you simply can’t resist.
Eye-Catching Appeal: These cookies can be rolled and cut into fun shapes, making them perfect for any celebration or festive occasion.
Flexible Serving: Enjoy them at snack time, serve them at parties, or brighten your breakfast with a sweet treat.
Diet-Friendly Options: These cookies can be adjusted to be dairy-free with substitutes like coconut oil or nut-based yogurts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The main structure of the cookie, providing that delightful chewiness. All-purpose flour works best here; you can substitute with gluten-free flour if needed for a gluten-free version.
1 teaspoon baking powder: This creates a light and airy texture, helping the cookies to rise. Ensure your baking powder is fresh for ideal results.
½ teaspoon baking soda: This adds to the tenderness and slight crunch at the edges of the cookies. Again, fresh is best!
½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors. Don’t skip it!
½ cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and flavor. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetness is key to any cookie, helping achieve that lovely golden color and crisp edges.
1 large egg: Acts as a binder making the dough cohesive, resulting in perfectly soft cookies.
½ cup sour cream: The secret ingredient! It gives the cookies their tangy edge and soft texture. Greek yogurt can be swapped as a lighter option.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, providing warmth and sweetness.
½ cup unsalted butter (softened, for frosting): Keeps the frosting creamy and easy to spread.
2 cups powdered sugar: For that sweet, fluffy frosting that ties the cookies together.
1 tablespoon milk: Adjusts consistency for the frosting to your preference, making it spreadable. Use any milk variety you have on hand!
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting): Reiterating the rich vanilla essence.
Food coloring (optional): For colorful and festive frosting; it adds an extra fun touch!
Sprinkles (optional): These make decorating even more exciting!

How to Make Sour Cream Sugar Cookies (Soft, Fluffy, Old-Fashioned Recipe)

Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and cleanup later. This provides a non-stick surface so that those beautifully baked cookies won’t cling to the pan.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step is crucial as it evenly distributes the leaveners through the flour, leading to perfectly risen cookies.

Whisk Wet Ingredients: In another large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and pale—about 2 minutes. This process incorporates air, helping the cookies remain light. Then add in the egg, sour cream, and vanilla extract, blending until smooth. This creamy mixture will create a soft dough.

Fold Together Gently: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage! You want to preserve that tender texture that is the hallmark of these **Sour Cream Sugar Cookies**.

Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two portions. Flatten each into a disc and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or even overnight if you wish! Chilling allows the flavors to meld and makes rolling out easier.

Roll and Cut: Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use fun cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes and transfer them onto your prepared baking sheets. They should be just touching for the perfect soft cookie.

Bake Until Golden: Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. Look for the edges to be slightly golden, while the centers stay soft. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy that wonderful aroma wafting through your home!

Prepare the Frosting: For the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy in a medium bowl. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract followed by 1-2 tablespoons of milk, gradually increasing milk for your desired consistency—reaching that perfect spreadable texture is key!

Color and Decorate: If you’re feeling festive, divide the frosting into bowls and add food coloring for a pop of color. Time to get creative! Spread or pipe your frosting onto cooled cookies and sprinkle on extra garnishes as you like. Let your combinations shine!

Storing & Reheating

Store your Sour Cream Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, place them in the fridge, where they can last up to two weeks. If you want to extend their life even more, you can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months—just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature for an hour, and feel free to warm them in the oven at a low temperature for about 5 minutes to bring back some of that freshly baked goodness.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid dense cookies by ensuring your flour is spooned into the measuring cup; never scoop directly from the bag as it packs it down.
Use room-temperature butter and eggs for a better blend, which contributes to even-textured cookies.
Watch your baking time carefully—these cookies can go from perfectly baked to overdone quickly.
Experiment with flavor by adding almond extract or a bit of citrus zest for a refreshing twist.
Make extra dough and freeze it; when a craving hits, you can have freshly baked cookies in minutes without the fuss.
If your cookies are too soft to decorate, simply chill them again for a few minutes.

Soft, fluffy, and oh-so-delicious, these Sour Cream Sugar Cookies are bound to be a favorite in your household. Perfect for sharing or savored in quiet moments, they invite warmth and creativity into your kitchen. Feel free to adapt and experiment with flavors and decorations; that’s what baking is all about! I hope you find joy in every step of the process and indulge in those beautiful, sweet results. Happy baking!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different type of yogurt instead of sour cream?

Absolutely! Greek yogurt or plain yogurt can be excellent substitutes for sour cream. Both will maintain the cookie’s moisture but may slightly alter the flavor. Your cookies will still be soft and delicious!

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking. It allows the butter to firm up, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies. Plus, it gives the flavors a chance to meld together!

How do I know when the cookies are finished baking?

Look for a slight golden color around the edges with the centers appearing soft and puffy. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few crumbs, indicating they are perfectly baked yet still tender.

Can I freeze these cookies after baking?

Yes, indeed! Once the cookies are cooled completely, you can freeze them in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, allow them to thaw at room temperature, or reheat in the oven for a few minutes for that just-baked vibe!