Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies (Printer-friendly)
Tender, pillowy sugar cookies enriched with sour cream for a melt-in-your-mouth texture, topped with luscious cream cheese frosting.
# 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 sour cream, full fat
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
# How To Make It:
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 incorporated.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
05 - Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Chilling prevents spreading and enhances 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 sheets 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly to 1/2 inch thickness.
08 - Bake for 9-11 minutes until set and edges are barely golden. Avoid overbaking for soft texture.
09 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Mix in vanilla and add milk as needed for spreadable consistency.
11 - Generously frost cooled cookies. Add sprinkles or colored sugar if desired.
12 - Store frosted cookies in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sour cream creates a texture that literally melts in your mouth unlike any other sugar cookie youve tried
- These cookies stay soft for days thanks to the secret ingredient that keeps them from drying out
- The cream cheese frosting strikes that perfect balance between tangy and sweet without being cloying
02 -
- The chilling step is absolutely non negotiable, as warm dough will spread too thin and youll lose that signature soft texture
- These cookies continue baking on the hot sheet after you pull them from the oven, so remove them when they still look slightly underdone in the center
- Completely cool cookies before frosting or the cream cheese will melt into a messy puddle instead of staying beautifully on top
03 -
- Add a drop of almond extract along with the vanilla for a subtle flavor twist that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is
- For the smoothest tops, dip your fingers in water before flattening each dough ball to prevent sticking and create perfectly rounded cookies