Sour Cream Cut Out Cookies Recipe

Fluffy Sour Cream Cut Out Cookies Recipe for Festive Baking Fun

Sweet memories dance through kitchens when sour cream cut out cookies emerge from warm ovens, promising delectable moments of pure joy.

Soft dough whispers childhood nostalgia with every gentle roll and careful shape.

Grandmothers’ cherished recipes find new life in these delicate, tender treats.

Butter and sour cream blend into silky perfection, creating cookies that melt surprisingly fast.

Decorative edges and delicate surfaces invite playful creativity and festive imagination.

Simple ingredients transform into magical bites that spark smiles across generations.

Why Sour Cream Cut Out Cookies Are Always a Hit

  • Boost Baking Confidence: Perfect for beginners with simple steps and minimal ingredients, helping home bakers feel like pro pastry chefs.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Easily customizable with different cookie cutters and decorations, ideal for holidays, birthdays, or casual family gatherings.
  • Delightfully Tender Texture: Sour cream creates incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that stand out from traditional sugar cookie recipes.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, making it convenient for busy schedules and spontaneous baking moments.

Sour Cream Cut-Out Cookies Ingredient List

Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Rich and creamy base for soft cookies.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with texture.
  • Eggs: Provide structure and binding.
  • Vanilla: Enhances overall flavor.
  • Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tanginess.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Main structure for the cookies.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and become light.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances flavors.
Preparation Ingredients:
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and easy cookie removal.
  • Flour (for dusting): Helps roll out dough without sticking.

Cut-Out Cookies with Sour Cream – Baking Guide

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes incredibly light, airy, and transforms into a fluffy cloud-like texture.

Step 2: Blend Wet Ingredients

Pour in the eggs and vanilla, mixing thoroughly until completely incorporated. Gently fold in the sour cream, creating a smooth and creamy base for your cookies.

Step 3: Prepare Dry Ingredients

Grab a separate bowl and sift together the following ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Ensure the dry ingredients are well combined and free of any lumps.

Step 4: Create Cookie Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring carefully until the dough forms a cohesive and slightly sticky consistency.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disk shape, then wrap securely in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a perfect non-stick surface for your cookies.

Step 7: Roll and Shape Cookies

Dust a clean work surface with flour. Roll out one dough disk to a quarter-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to create delightful shapes that will make everyone smile.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets. Slide them into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous light golden color.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before serving or decorating.

  • Soften Butter Perfectly: Leave butter out for 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the ideal creamy texture without melting.
  • Prevent Sticky Dough: Dust your work surface and rolling pin with a light layer of flour to stop the dough from sticking and make rolling easier.
  • Chill for Better Shape: Extended chilling time helps cookies maintain crisp edges and prevents spreading during baking, ensuring clean-cut shapes.
  • Control Cookie Thickness: Use wooden dowels or rubber bands on rolling pin to create consistent ¼-inch thickness for uniform baking and professional-looking cookies.
  • Maximize Flavor Potential: Let cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting and to develop a richer, more developed taste profile.

Best Way To Keep Sour Cream Cut Out Cookies Soft

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Wrap cookie dough disks tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to store for 2-3 months before baking.
  • Layer completely cooled cookies between wax paper in a freezer-safe container, storing them for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or warm gently in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore original texture.

What Goes with Sour Cream Cut Out Cookies

  • Pair Sweet Sips with Cookie Delight: A warm mug of chamomile tea complements the soft, buttery texture of these sour cream cut-out cookies, creating a soothing flavor harmony.
  • Enhance Frosting Fun: Serve these cookies alongside a rich hot chocolate with marshmallows, allowing the creamy drink to balance the cookie's delicate sweetness and provide a cozy indulgence.
  • Match Festive Flavors: A chilled glass of vanilla almond milk perfectly highlights the cookie's subtle tang, offering a refreshing and smooth companion that elevates the overall taste experience.
  • Create Dessert Elegance: Pour a small glass of cream sherry, which adds a sophisticated touch and brings out the subtle vanilla notes in the cookies, making each bite feel like a special treat.
  • Gluten-Free Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free sour cream alternative or plain coconut yogurt to maintain moisture and richness.
  • Vegan Sugar Cookie Version: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and select vegan sour cream replacement to create cruelty-free cut-out cookies.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia, maintaining the cookie's structure while decreasing overall calorie count.

FAQs

  • Why use sour cream in cookie dough?

Sour cream adds moisture and creates a tender, softer texture in cookies while providing a subtle tangy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the baked treat.

  • Can I make these cookies without chilling the dough?

No, chilling is crucial. It helps prevent spreading during baking, ensures better shape retention, and allows the flavors to develop more deeply, resulting in a more structured cookie.

  • How thick should I roll the cookie dough?

Roll the dough to exactly ¼ inch thickness. This specific measurement ensures even baking and helps maintain a consistent, soft texture across all your cut-out cookies.

  • What type of flour works best for these cookies?

All-purpose flour is ideal for this recipe. It provides the right protein content to create a sturdy yet tender cookie that holds its shape during baking while maintaining a delicate crumb.

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Sour Cream Cut Out Cookies Recipe

Sour Cream Cut Out Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sour cream cut out cookies bring classic comfort with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that delights bakers and cookie enthusiasts. Sweet memories emerge from these delicate treats, inviting you to savor each beautifully decorated morsel with pure nostalgic joy.


Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients:

  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/3 cups sugar
  • 2 large eggs

Leavening Agents:

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancer:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Whip softened butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a pillowy, aerated texture with a pale, creamy appearance.
  2. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly, then fold in the tangy sour cream until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform.
  3. Sift dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – into a separate container, ensuring no lumps remain.
  4. Merge dry ingredients into the wet mixture gradually, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
  5. Partition the dough into two equal portions, gently flatten each into a disc shape, encase in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours to firm up.
  6. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface.
  7. Dust a clean work surface with flour, then roll out one dough disc to a uniform quarter-inch thickness, using cookie cutters to create desired shapes.
  8. Arrange cut-out cookies on prepared baking sheets, ensuring slight separation between each piece.
  9. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges develop a delicate golden hue, indicating perfect doneness.
  10. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Chill Dough Thoroughly to ensure the cookies maintain their shape and prevent spreading during baking.
  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients for a smoother, more even cookie dough that blends perfectly.
  • Dust Surface Lightly with flour when rolling to prevent sticking without making cookies dry or tough.
  • Customize Easily by adding citrus zest, almond extract, or warming spices like cinnamon to transform the basic recipe.
  • Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
James Hambly

James Hambly

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development, Culinary Education, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Southern Cuisine

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in professional cooking techniques, emphasizing farm-to-table practices and Southern cuisine.

The Chef’s Academy
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive culinary education covering global cuisines, kitchen management, and food safety.​


James grew up surrounded by the smells of cast-iron skillets and slow-cooked Southern meals in Asheville, North Carolina.
He sharpened his skills with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, and later leveled up with an Associate Degree from The Chef’s Academy.
James’s philosophy is simple: the best meals don’t need fancy tricks, just fresh ingredients, a hot pan, and a little bit of heart. His favorite days are spent testing one-pan wonders, chasing bold flavors, and creating recipes that feel easy, even on a busy night.

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