Are you dreaming of a warm kitchen filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies? Do you crave a simple yet incredibly delicious cookie recipe that's perfect for holiday baking or any day treat? Then look no further! This sour cream cut out sugar cookie recipe delivers unbelievably tender and flavorful cookies that are easy to make, even for beginner bakers. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and create a batch of these delightful treats that will disappear in a flash!
Ingredients: You'll need these simple pantry staples
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it a perfect choice for a quick and easy baking project.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Sugar for rolling (optional)
- Sprinkles or other decorations (optional)
Instructions: Let's get baking!
Follow these easy steps for perfectly delightful sugar cookies.
Step 1: Cream Together Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This is easily done with an electric mixer, but you can also achieve this with a good bit of elbow grease and a sturdy spoon.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Incorporate Sour Cream
Gradually add the sour cream and mix until just combined. Don't overmix!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Again, avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Step 6: Roll and Cut
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place the cut-out cookies onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Step 8: Cool and Decorate
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, decorate with your favorite sprinkles, frosting, or simply enjoy them plain.
Tips for the Best Sugar Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted. This ensures proper creaming and a tender crumb.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is essential for preventing spreading and achieving the best shape and texture.
- Use a Rolling Pin: Using a rolling pin ensures even thickness for consistent baking.
- Baking Time May Vary: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust baking time as needed.
Variations: Get Creative!
- Spice it Up: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm, spiced cookie.
- Chocolate Chip Delight: Stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips for a delicious twist.
- Citrus Zest: Add the zest of one lemon or orange for a bright and refreshing flavor.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
This will vary depending on size and added ingredients. This is an estimate for a medium-sized cookie.
- Calories: Approximately 150
- Fat: Approximately 8g
- Sugar: Approximately 8g
These sour cream cut-out sugar cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for sharing with friends and family. Enjoy the process of homemade cooking and the delicious results!