Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies (Printable)
Tender sour cream sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting offer a melt-in-your-mouth experience perfect for any celebration.
# 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
# How-To Steps:
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, beating well. Mix in sour cream and vanilla extract until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
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 on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Flatten gently to 1/2 inch thickness.
08 - Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are barely golden and centers appear set. Avoid overbaking for soft texture.
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. Add vanilla and milk as needed for spreadable consistency.
11 - Generously frost cooled cookies. Add sprinkles or colored sugar immediately if desired.
12 - Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sour cream creates an incredibly tender crumb that literally melts in your mouth
- These cookies stay soft for days unlike traditional sugar cookies that can get hard
02 -
- Chilling the dough is not optional here, it prevents the cookies from turning into flat puddles
- Overbaking by even one minute will make them lose that signature soft texture
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the dough from separating and ensure even baking
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform sizing so they all bake at the same rate