Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies (Printable View)
Soft, tender sugar cookies with sour cream and creamy cream cheese frosting for any occasion.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cookies
01 - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1/2 cup full fat sour cream
09 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
10 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
11 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
14 - 1-2 tablespoons milk for consistency
→ Decoration
15 - Sprinkles or colored sugar (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
02 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Beat in the egg, then mix in sour cream and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until flour disappears. Do not overmix.
05 - Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for easier handling and optimal texture.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough, roll into balls, and place 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. Flatten each ball to about 1/2 inch thickness.
08 - Bake for 9-11 minutes until cookies appear set and edges are barely golden. Avoid overbaking for soft texture.
09 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Mix in vanilla, then add milk as needed for spreadable consistency.
11 - Generously frost each completely cooled cookie. Add sprinkles or colored sugar if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sour cream creates an incredibly tender crumb that literally melts in your mouth
- These cookies stay soft for days unlike typical sugar cookies that turn into hard rocks
- The dough is forgiving enough that even overmixed batches turn out beautifully
02 -
- Chilling the dough is non negotiable unless you want flat, sad cookies that spread everywhere
- These continue baking on the hot sheet so pull them out when they look slightly underdone
- Room temperature ingredients mix together properly and prevent the dough from separating
03 -
- Roll your dough balls between your palms with slightly wet hands to prevent sticking
- Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking for evenly golden cookies
- Add a drop of almond extract to the dough for a subtle flavor twist that tastes professional