Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies (Print Version)
Tender, pillowy cookies with sour cream and creamy frosting for any sweet 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)
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Add egg to the butter mixture and beat well. Mix in sour cream and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. 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 and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Flatten gently to 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 before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar until smooth. Add vanilla and milk as needed for spreadable consistency.
11 - Generously frost each completely cooled cookie. Add sprinkles or colored sugar if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sour cream secret makes these cookies impossibly tender and gives them a longer shelf life than traditional recipes
- That cream cheese frosting is thick enough to pipe but soft enough to spread straight from the bowl
02 -
- Chilling the dough is not optional, it prevents cookies from spreading into thin, crispy disks
- These cookies are done when the centers look set, not when they are golden brown
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients combine more smoothly, so set everything out an hour before baking
- Weighing your flour instead of scooping prevents dense cookies from too much flour