These Sour Cream Sugar Cookies are soft, fluffy, and full of flavor! They have a lovely tang from the sour cream, making them a sweet treat for any occasion.
I love how easy they are to make! Just mix the ingredients, roll the dough, and bake. Perfect with a glass of milk, and you might just want to snack on them all day! 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of your cookies, giving them structure. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, you could use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Sour Cream: It adds moisture and a slight tang to the cookies. If you don’t have sour cream, Greek yogurt works well as a substitute, providing a similar texture and flavor.
Butter: Unsalted butter gives the best results here. If you’re dairy-free, you can use vegan butter or margarine instead, but keep in mind that it might change the flavor slightly.
Granulated Sugar: This sweetens your cookies. You can substitute with coconut sugar for a lower glycemic index, but expect a slight flavor change.
How Do You Get the Perfect Texture in Sugar Cookies?
The secret to achieving that soft, tender texture lies mainly in your mixing and baking technique. Here’s how to make sure your cookies turn out the best:
- Don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour. This can make cookies tough.
- Chilling the dough is crucial! This helps to prevent spreading in the oven, resulting in thicker cookies.
- Watch your baking time closely! Take them out when the edges are just starting to golden; the centers should look a bit underbaked. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
How to Make Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles, for decoration
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and about 10 minutes to bake. Plus, you’ll want to chill the dough for at least 1 hour, making it a great cookie to plan ahead!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven and Prep Pans:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps your cookies bake evenly. While the oven heats up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This is important because it ensures even mixing of the leavening agents. Once mixed, set this bowl aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes. This step is key for fluffy cookies!
4. Add Egg, Vanilla, and Sour Cream:
Beat in the egg and add the vanilla extract. Mix until combined. Then, gently fold in the sour cream until everything is well mixed and smooth.
5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Now, gradually add the dry ingredients you mixed earlier into the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or your cookies may turn tough!
6. Chill Dough:
To make rolling and cutting easier, chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This step is important for the cookies to hold their shape while baking.
7. Roll Out and Cut:
Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes!
8. Bake:
Place the cookies on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each. Bake them in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn golden. The centers should still look pale.
9. Cool:
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Afterward, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Prepare Frosting:
In a bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each cup. After the sugar is mixed in, add the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of milk or cream. If your frosting is too thick, add more milk one teaspoon at a time until it’s spreadable.
11. Color Frosting:
If you want colorful frosting, divide your frosting into bowls and add food coloring to achieve your desired shades!
12. Decorate:
Once the cookies are cool, spread or pipe the frosting onto them. Use sprinkles or other decorations to finish them off!
13. Set and Serve:
Let the frosted cookies sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes so the frosting can set before serving.
Enjoy your delightful and tangy Sour Cream Sugar Cookies! They’re perfect for celebrations, holidays, or just a sweet treat any day of the week!
Can I Use Low-Fat Sour Cream Instead of Regular?
Yes, you can substitute low-fat sour cream for regular. However, keep in mind that the cookies may not be quite as rich and fluffy, but they will still taste delicious!
What If I Don’t Have Cookie Cutters?
No problem at all! You can simply roll the dough into balls and flatten them slightly on the baking sheet. They will still bake beautifully and taste amazing!
Can I Freeze the Cookie Dough?
Absolutely! You can freeze the rolled-out cookie dough shapes or even the whole batch. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container. The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, just thaw it in the fridge overnight!
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can also refrigerate them. Just be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking!
