Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies (Printable)
Tender, pillowy sugar cookies enriched with sour cream for a melt-in-your-mouth texture and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting.
# What You 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
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Mix in the egg until fully incorporated, then add sour cream and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and uniform.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until flour disappears. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
05 - Cover dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Chilling prevents spreading and ensures thick, soft cookies.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
07 - Scoop heaping tablespoons of chilled dough and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball to 1/2 inch thickness.
08 - Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until cookies appear set and edges are barely golden. Avoid overbaking for optimal softness.
09 - Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
10 - Beat cream cheese and softened butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until fully incorporated. Stir in vanilla extract. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until spreadable consistency is reached.
11 - Generously spread frosting over completely cooled cookies. Top with sprinkles or colored sugar immediately if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sour cream creates an impossibly tender crumb that practically dissolves
- These cookies stay soft for days unlike traditional crisp sugar cookies
02 -
- Chilling the dough is nonnegotiable for thick soft cookies that hold their shape
- Overbaking even by one minute will ruin the tender texture
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients mix together more evenly and create better texture
- Sift your powdered sugar directly into the bowl to avoid dusty countertops