Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies (Printable)
Tender sugar cookies with sour cream and creamy frosting.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cookie Dough
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
→ Decoration
15 - Sprinkles or colored sugar
# Directions:
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 - Mix in the egg until incorporated, then blend in sour cream and vanilla extract until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until flour disappears. Avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.
05 - Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for minimum 1 hour or overnight. Chilling prevents spreading and enhances texture.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
07 - Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough, roll into balls, and place 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. Flatten gently to 1/2 inch thickness.
08 - Bake for 9-11 minutes until set with lightly golden edges. Remove promptly to prevent drying.
09 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
10 - Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in vanilla and adjust consistency with milk.
11 - Generously frost cooled cookies. Add sprinkles immediately if desired. Store in airtight container refrigerated for up to 5 days.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sour cream creates an interior texture that's impossibly soft, almost like a tiny cloud you can bite into
- These cookies stay fresh for days, getting even more tender as they rest
02 -
- Overbaking by even one minute will transform these from tender to tough, watch them like a hawk
- The dough must be thoroughly chilled or you'll end up with flat cookies despite all your efforts
03 -
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform sizing, which means even baking and prettier presentation
- Room temperature ingredients mix together seamlessly and prevent curdled-looking dough