Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Table of Contents
There’s something magical about the comforting aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house, don’t you think? It takes me back to those cherished childhood days in Grandma’s kitchen, where flour-filled air mixed with laughter and love. Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that holds a special place in my heart — Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting. These cookies are not just delicious; they’re a warm hug in cookie form, perfect for creating new memories with family and friends.
Picture this: a soft, tender sugar cookie with a hint of tang from sour cream, topped with a dreamy, creamy, cream cheese frosting. These cookies are an absolute delight, filling your home with the sweet promise of togetherness. They’re a wonderful way to engage little hands in the kitchen, offering simple joy and endless creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is as easy as pie — or should I say, as easy as cookies! Baking these treats is like wrapping your loved ones in a cozy blanket of nostalgia and sweetness.
Why This Recipe Should Be on Your Table
These Sour Cream Sugar Cookies are more than just a sweet treat — they’re a celebration of simplicity and warmth. Here’s why they deserve a spot in your kitchen:
Nostalgic Comfort: Each bite transports you back to simpler times, filled with fond memories and cherished family gatherings. Remember the joy of sneaking a taste of cookie dough when Grandma wasn’t looking? These cookies bring that same joy with every bite.
Versatile Delight: Perfect for any occasion, from festive holidays to casual Sunday afternoons. They can be dressed up with holiday-themed decorations or kept simple for a cozy night in. These cookies are also great for cookie exchange parties or as thoughtful homemade gifts.
Family-Friendly Fun: A great way to involve kids in baking, creating lasting memories and delicious results. Little ones can help with mixing, rolling out the dough, and decorating, making it a full family activity that helps build lasting bonds.
Easy Peasy Baking: With straightforward ingredients and simple steps, these cookies are fail-proof and delightful. Even the most novice bakers will find success with this foolproof recipe, which can boost confidence in the kitchen.
Creative Canvas: Decorate with your favorite sprinkles or icing colors, making each cookie uniquely yours. You can let your imagination run wild with different themes, colors, and even flavors by adding extracts like almond or lemon to the frosting.
Kitchen Tools to Make This Recipe Easy Peasy
To make this recipe a breeze, gather these essential kitchen tools:
Mixing Bowls: For blending dry and wet ingredients. Having a few sizes can make the process smoother, allowing you to whisk and mix without cross-contaminating ingredients.
Electric Mixer: Helps achieve that perfect, fluffy texture for both dough and frosting. If you don’t have an electric mixer, a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease will do the trick, though it might take a bit longer.
Rolling Pin: Ideal for flattening the dough to the perfect thickness. If you don’t have a rolling pin, a clean wine bottle can serve as an alternative in a pinch.
Cookie Cutters: Bring your cookies to life with fun shapes — hearts and circles work beautifully! Consider seasonal shapes for holidays or initials for a personalized touch.
Baking Sheets and Parchment Paper: Ensure even baking and easy clean-up. Parchment paper is a lifesaver for preventing sticking and making clean-up quick and easy.
Cooling Rack: Allows your cookies to cool perfectly without getting soggy. This tool is crucial for maintaining the crisp edges of your cookies while they cool.
How to Make This Recipe Easy Peasy
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 cups flour
Cream Cheese Icing
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Prepare the Dry Ingredients: Sift together baking soda, salt, baking powder, and flour. This step ensures that your dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which helps the cookies rise evenly.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a better texture.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs and vanilla. Beat for another 3 minutes. This step emulsifies the ingredients, ensuring a smooth and cohesive dough.
Combine with Sour Cream and Flour: Add flour alternately with sour cream in three additions. Start and end with flour to prevent the batter from curdling, and ensure everything is well blended.
Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or at least 8 hours. Chilling the dough is crucial as it helps the flavors to meld and makes the dough easier to handle.
Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 375℉. Remove chilled dough from the refrigerator. Divide the dough in half and roll out each portion on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thick. Brushing off excess flour helps maintain the cookie’s flavor and texture.
Cut and Place: Use a lightly floured cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Place the cut cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This dough is soft, so simple shapes work best.
Bake and Cool: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are barely beginning to turn golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. This prevents them from breaking apart.
Cream Cheese Icing
Make the Icing: In a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese and butter. Beat until smooth and creamy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and well blended.
Decorate: Ice cookies with a thin metal spatula or pipe icing onto the tops of the cookies. Add sprinkles, drageés, or sparkling sugars, if desired.
Difficulty: Easy • Cuisine: American • Preparation Time: 20 minutes • Cooking Time: 10 minutes • Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes • Calories: 150 per cookie • Servings: 36
Note: Make sure to refrigerate the dough long enough to ensure it’s firm and easy to work with.
Health and Flavor Benefits of Ingredients
These cookies aren’t just about indulgence; they’re crafted with ingredients that bring both flavor and a touch of goodness:
Sour Cream: Adds moisture and a subtle tang, creating a tender crumb and enhancing the cookie’s flavor profile. It’s also a fantastic way to add richness without additional fat.
Cream Cheese: Provides a rich, smooth frosting that balances the cookie’s sweetness with its creamy texture. It’s a favorite in desserts for its ability to add both flavor and a luscious mouthfeel.
Butter: Essential for that classic, buttery flavor we all love in homemade cookies. It also contributes to the cookie’s structure and tenderness.
Vanilla: A timeless ingredient that deepens flavor and adds warmth to both the cookies and frosting. Using real vanilla extract can make a noticeable difference in taste.
Tasty Pairings to Serve with This Easy Peasy Dish
These cookies pair beautifully with a variety of beverages and treats:
A Warm Cup of Tea: The gentle tannins complement the cookies’ sweetness. Earl Grey or chamomile are particularly soothing options.
Hot Chocolate: Perfect for a cozy winter’s day. The rich cocoa pairs wonderfully with the tangy frosting.
Fruit Platter: Fresh berries provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy frosting. Strawberries and raspberries are excellent choices.
Coffee: The rich, robust flavor of coffee balances the cookies’ sweetness. A smooth, medium roast pairs perfectly for an afternoon treat.
Storage Tips and How to Enjoy Leftovers the Easy Peasy Way
Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness of your cookies:
In an Airtight Container: Store cookies at room temperature for up to a week. This keeps them fresh and prevents them from drying out.
Freezing Cookies: Freeze unfrosted cookies in a single layer, then stack with parchment paper between layers for up to 3 months. Thaw and frost before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Reviving Freshness: Warm cookies slightly in the oven to refresh their texture before serving. Just a few minutes at a low temperature will do the trick.
There’s nothing quite like the joy of baking, especially when it fills your home with the comforting scents of nostalgia and love. With this Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe, you’re not just baking cookies — you’re creating moments, memories, and a sense of warmth that will be cherished by all who gather around your table. Happy baking, my friends!
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Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Sift together baking soda, salt, baking powder, and flour. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat for about 3 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla. Beat for another 3 minutes.
- Add flour alternately with sour cream in three additions. Begin and end with flour.
- Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or 8 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375℉. Remove chilled dough from the refrigerator. Divide dough in half. Place dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Roll out dough 1/4-inch thick. Brush off any remaining flour.
- Cut out dough with a lightly floured cookie cutter. Carefully place cut cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are barely beginning to turn golden. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool 5-10 minutes on baking sheet. Transfer to cooling rack.
- In a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese and butter. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Ice cookies with a thin metal spatula or spoon icing into a bag fitted with a star tip and pipe icing onto the tops of the cookies. Add sprinkles, drageés, or sparkling sugars, if desired.
