Are you ready to dive into the sweet world of homemade sugar cookies? Forget those bland, store-bought disappointments. This recipe for sour cream sugar cookies is your ticket to perfectly soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, ideal for all your holiday cut-out needs. They're incredibly easy to make, even for beginner bakers, and the addition of sour cream creates a delightful tang that balances the sweetness perfectly. Prepare for a delicious baking adventure!
Ingredients: You'll Need These Simple Staples
This recipe uses pantry staples, making it a quick and convenient choice for your next 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 decorating (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions: Easy as Pie
Follow these simple instructions for perfectly soft and delicious 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 best done with an electric mixer, but a strong arm and a whisk will work too!
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Step 3: Incorporate Sour Cream: Gently stir in the sour cream until just incorporated. 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 on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.
Step 5: Chill the Dough: This step is crucial! Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, resulting in softer cookies. Chilling for longer (even an hour or two) is even better!
Step 6: Roll and Cut: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled 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 brown.
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 frosting, sprinkles, or colored sugars.
Tips and Tricks for Baking Success
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened – not melted, but pliable enough to easily cream with the sugar.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough develops the gluten, leading to tough cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Baking Time Varies: Oven temperatures can differ, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust baking time as needed.
Variations to Delight Your Taste Buds
- Chocolate Chip Delight: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough for a delicious twist.
- Spiced Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of cloves to the dry ingredients for warm, spiced cookies.
- Citrus Zest: Add the zest of one lemon or orange for a bright and refreshing flavor.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate)
This will vary based on size and added decorations. For a general estimate, a medium-sized cookie will contain approximately:
- Calories: 100-150
- Fat: 5-7g
- Sugar: 10-15g
These sour cream sugar cookies are the perfect recipe for creating lasting memories and delicious treats. Enjoy the process, and happy baking!