Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Picture this: the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked sugar cookies wafts through your home, swirling with a tangy hint of sour cream that promises a tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Imagine the delight as you bite into these soft, pillowy cookies, perfectly paired with the luscious cream cheese frosting that’s sweet, tangy, and creamy all at once. This Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is like a cozy hug on a plate, quick enough to whip up for any occasion yet impressive enough to wow a crowd.

Why You’ll Love This Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

• Ready in under 30 minutes active time: Though the dough chills for several hours, the hands-on prep is a breeze—perfect for busy bakers craving a sweet reward.
• Uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients: Butter, sugar, sour cream, and basic baking essentials come together to create something extraordinary, no exotic items needed.
• Perfect for beginners and seasoned pros alike: The straightforward steps ensure anyone can bake these with confidence and delight.
• Impressive presentation with customizable frosting: The cream cheese icing is velvety and versatile, perfect for piping and decorating with sprinkles or edible glitter to match any celebration.
• Customizable dough and frosting: From adding lemon zest for a bright twist to swapping vanilla for almond extract, you can tailor these cookies to your flavor mood.

Why This Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe Works

What makes this recipe stand out is the magical combination of sour cream and cream cheese, creating an irresistibly tender crumb and luscious frosting that balances sweetness with a subtle tang. The chilling step firms up the soft dough, making it easier to roll and cut while enhancing flavor depth. Alternating the flour with sour cream during mixing ensures the dough retains moisture, resulting in cookies that are soft, yet sturdy enough to hold their shape after baking. These thoughtful techniques come together perfectly to deliver cookies that are as delightful to make as they are to eat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for everyday ingredients that blend harmoniously to create that signature soft texture and rich flavor. Having them on hand means you’re just moments away from a fresh batch of these irresistible cookies!

• Butter (softened): The base for both cookies and frosting, providing richness and tenderness.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crumb when creamed with butter.
• Eggs: Bind the dough and add moisture for a soft texture.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth.
• Baking soda and baking powder: Leavening agents that give cookies a gentle rise without losing softness.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Sour cream: The secret to moist, tender dough with a subtle tang.
• All-purpose flour: Provides structure and body.
• Cream cheese (softened): Central to the luscious frosting’s creamy texture and slightly tangy flavor.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and gives the frosting its perfect smoothness.

Ingredient Substitutions & Tips

• Sour cream: Use Greek yogurt for a similar tang and moisture, but expect a slightly denser texture.
• Butter: You can swap for margarine or a high-quality vegan butter for a dairy-free version, though the flavor might vary slightly.
• Cream cheese: For dairy-free frosting, try a vegan cream cheese alternative or use mascarpone for a richer taste.
• Vanilla extract: Almond or lemon extract can provide a delightful flavor twist if you want to experiment.

How to Make Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Sift together baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour in a medium bowl. This will make the dry ingredients airy and help evenly distribute the leavening agents for a light cookie texture.

💡 Pro Tip: Sifting your flour mixture means fewer lumps and a more uniform dough.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. This aeration step is key—it gives cookies that delicate crumb and tender bite.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a stand mixer or hand mixer on medium speed for best results.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, mixing well between additions. This builds body and enhances the cookie’s rich flavor.

💡 Pro Tip: Make sure eggs are at room temperature for better incorporation.

Step 4: Combine Flour and Sour Cream

Add the sifted flour mixture alternately with sour cream in three parts, beginning and ending with flour. Mix gently after each addition to keep the dough tender and moist.

💡 Pro Tip: Mix on low speed or fold with a spatula to avoid overworking the dough.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This rest allows the butter to firm up, making it easier to roll and developing a more flavorful cookie.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t skip this step, even if you’re itching to bake—you’ll thank yourself later.

Step 6: Roll and Cut Cookies

Preheat the oven to 375℉. Divide dough in half and roll each portion out to about 1/4-inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Lightly dust your cookie cutters with flour and cut shapes. Since this dough is soft, choose simple shapes like circles or hearts.

💡 Pro Tip: Brush off excess flour before baking to keep edges crisp and clean.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet (no grease needed) and bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are just turning golden. Let cookies cool for 5-10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

💡 Pro Tip: Leaving cookies on the sheet initially helps them set without breaking.

Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and fluffy. Add food coloring if desired.

💡 Pro Tip: Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps for the smoothest frosting.

Step 9: Frost Your Cookies

Using a thin metal spatula or piping bag with a star tip, spread or pipe the frosting onto cooled cookies. Sprinkle with decorative sugars, drageés, or sprinkles for that extra festive touch.

💡 Pro Tip: Pipe frosting when cookies are completely cool to prevent melting or sliding.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from these common pitfalls:

• Skipping the chilling step: Dough can become too sticky and difficult to roll, yielding misshapen cookies.
• Overmixing the dough: Leads to tough cookies instead of soft, tender bites.
• Rolling dough unevenly: Causes some cookies to burn while others remain undercooked.
• Baking too long: Cookies lose their soft texture and become hard around the edges.
• Applying frosting on warm cookies: Results in melting or messy frosting.
• Using cold butter for creaming: Won’t aerate properly, affecting texture.

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe, it’s time to get creative!

Lemon Zest Twist

Add fresh lemon zest to both the dough and frosting for a bright, citrusy flavor that’s refreshing and vibrant.

Spiced Sugar Cookies

Mix in a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the dough for cozy warmth that pairs beautifully with cream cheese icing.

Chocolate-Dipped Cookies

Dip half of each cookie in melted dark or white chocolate, then sprinkle with crushed nuts or edible glitter for an elegant touch.

Nutty Surprise

Add finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for delightful crunches scattered throughout these soft cookies.

Berry Swirl Frosting

Mix in a spoonful of strawberry or raspberry jam into the cream cheese frosting for a fruity, colorful swirl that tastes as good as it looks.

How to Serve Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles, edible pearls, or a dusting of colored sanding sugar to make your cookies truly festive and eye-catching.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of strong coffee, classic hot cocoa, or a glass of cold milk to complement their creamy sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange cookies on a tiered serving tray adorned with fresh flowers or greenery for a party display that’s just as inviting as the cookies themselves. Gift them in a decorated tin or cellophane bag tied with a ribbon for an irresistible homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them soft and fresh. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. For baked cookies, freeze in an airtight container separated by parchment for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before frosting to enjoy them fresh-baked warm. Let frosted cookies come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat sour cream in this recipe?

You can, but full-fat sour cream will give the richest, softest cookies. Low-fat versions might yield a slightly drier texture.

Do I have to chill the dough overnight?

While chilling isn’t mandatory, it greatly improves flavor and dough handling—aim for at least 8 hours or overnight for the best results.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking. You may need to adjust resting time slightly.

How should I store frosted cookies?

Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days since the cream cheese frosting contains dairy.

Can I use cream cheese frosting on other cookies?

Absolutely! It pairs beautifully with everything from chocolate chip to gingerbread cookies.

What if my dough is sticky?

Add a tablespoon of flour at a time to help, but don’t add too much or cookies may become tough.

How do I make the frosting less sweet?

Reduce powdered sugar slightly or add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness without losing texture.

Can I color the cream cheese frosting?

Yes, gel food coloring works best without thinning the frosting. Add a few drops when mixing the frosting.

Final Thoughts

Baking these Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe has a wonderful way of filling your kitchen with comforting warmth and irresistible sweetness. They’re a joyous treat that brings people together, each bite soft and rich, topped with a frosting that’s like a cloud of creamy delight. Whether baking for everyday happiness or special occasions, these cookies never fail to impress and satisfy.

Have you tried this Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below. If you loved this recipe, please share it with friends and family. Happy cooking! 🍪

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