Sour Cream Sugar Cookies are soft, sweet, and oh-so-delicious! The sour cream makes them extra tender and gives a lovely little tang, balancing out the sweetness perfectly.
These cookies are easy to whip up, and they smell amazing while baking! I like to add sprinkles or frosting on top for a fun twist. Who doesn’t love a bright cookie treat? 😊
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: This gives the cookies a rich flavor. If you’re out, you can use margarine or coconut oil, but the texture may vary slightly. I really enjoy the taste of butter in cookies, so I recommend sticking with it when you can!
Sour Cream: It makes the cookies soft and adds a nice tang. If you want a lactose-free option, try using plain Greek yogurt—it works just as well! I love the creaminess of sour cream in my cookies.
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base for your cookies. If you need a gluten-free version, you can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, which works nicely without altering the taste much.
Sugar: Granulated sugar gives sweetness. For a healthier alternative, you can use coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like Stevia, but adjust the amounts since substitutes can vary in sweetness.
How Can I Ensure My Cookies Are Soft and Chewy?
To achieve soft, chewy sour cream sugar cookies, there are key steps to follow. The baking time and dough consistency play vital roles.
- First, do not over-mix your dough—mix until just combined to keep the cookies tender.
- Aim for slightly underbaking them, around 10-12 minutes. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
- When measuring flour, spoon it into the cup and level it with a knife. This helps prevent adding too much flour, which could make your cookies dry.
With these tips, your cookies will turn out soft and delightful every time!
Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For The Icing:
- Food coloring (optional)
- 1 to 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or lemon juice
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and another 10-12 minutes for baking. Be sure to let the cookies cool before icing them, which might take an extra 20-30 minutes. Overall, you’re looking at roughly an hour to make these delightful cookies!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping Your Oven and Baking Sheets:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper so the cookies don’t stick. This little step makes cleanup so much easier!
2. Creaming the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes and helps make your cookies soft and yummy!
3. Mixing in the Wet Ingredients:
Now, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream. Mix everything until it’s nicely combined and smooth. This will add moisture and that wonderful tang to your cookies!
4. Combining Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures all the dry ingredients are well mixed before adding them to the wet mixture.
5. Mixing the Dough:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix—this helps keep your cookies tender!
6. Shaping and Baking:
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Make sure they are spaced about 2 inches apart. Now, bake them in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just set and the centers look a bit underbaked. They will firm up while cooling.
7. Cooling Down:
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step is crucial for the perfect cookie texture!
8. Making and Applying the Icing:
For the icing, whisk together powdered sugar with milk or lemon juice until it’s smooth and slightly thickened. If you’re using food coloring, divide the icing and add colors as desired to make it fun!
9. Decorating Your Cookies:
Once the cookies are fully cooled, spread the icing over the tops and sprinkle with colorful sprinkles. This makes your cookies festive and even more inviting!
10. Let the Icing Set:
Finally, allow the icing to set before serving. This helps everything stay in place and makes for a beautiful presentation!
Enjoy your delicious sour cream sugar cookies, perfect for sharing or enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee! They’re sure to be a hit!
Can I Use Low-Fat Sour Cream?
Yes, you can use low-fat sour cream in this recipe! While the cookies might not be quite as rich and tender, they will still turn out delicious. Just make sure it’s not fat-free, as that can affect the texture.
Can I Freeze These Cookies?
Absolutely! You can freeze the cookie dough before baking. Just scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When ready to bake, you can bake directly from frozen, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time!
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for several months.
Can I Skip the Icing?
Of course! If you prefer plain cookies, feel free to skip the icing. These cookies are delicious on their own and have a lovely flavor thanks to the sour cream!
